Waterloo Battlefield — Attraction in Braine-l'Alleud

There was a surprisingly small car park at the site but we managed to find a space and by then the rain had stopped so that was a bonus. We had a coffee in the cafe and then went in to the exhibition, which cost €23. The diorama displaying the battlefield was breathtaking. It had taken 30 years to make and had 10,000 figures on it, displaying the battlefield in late morning, before the main action started. Continuing through we saw displays of weapons, uniforms and equipment and a timeline of the events of the 100 days between Napoleon escaping from Elba and then end at Waterloo. There was a 3D film which showed the main events of the battle as a soldier on the ground rather than a general's or strategic view and that was excellent. Far more sobering was a collection of sketches made by one of the English surgeons of battle injuries he treated.

Panorama's are a great way to depict the scale of events such as Waterloo and we saw a photo montage created from the 300 year anniversary re-enactment where 6400 people took part and also a 1913 (maybe, can't remember to be honest) painting of the battle where you could walk around and look at different actions, in context. Once we left the exhibition itself we had the option of climbing the Lion Mound. This is the memorial to the battle, built on the site where William of Orange (not the original, this one was the Prince commanding the Dutch-Belgian forces) was wounded in the shoulder. The monument was contentious for many years and the Belgians wanted to destroy it when they gained independence from the Dutch in 1830 and the French vandalised it in 1832.

Muggins decided he could run up, it was only 226 steps after all. About 2/3 of the way my body reminded me I was actually 59 years old and if I wanted to see 60 then it was time to grow up and unusually, I listened. I continued a sedate walk to the top of the monument and the view was impressive with the wheat fields, the farms still there and generally unspoiled. Deb was far more sensible and sat on a bench at the bottom.

The final part of this visit was the lego exhibition. This cost an extra €4 but rounded the trip off lightly as a bit of fun. The models were wonderful and each had a sticker showing how many blocks were used and how long it took. They displayed all the significant events of Napoleon's career and the collection was brilliantly executed, the planned invasion model of England being my favourite but his Imperial coronation and the fight at Hougoumont Farm were close seconds. After a visit to the gift shop, naturally, we ended our tour having spent around 3.5 hours...

Our recent trip from Dublin, Ireland to the historic battlefield of Waterloo was nothing short of extraordinary. I visited with my wife and our son, who is an avid enthusiast of the Napoleonic Era, and we were all blown away by the depth of history, the scale of the site and the powerful sense of place that surrounds this iconic location.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear that the site is incredibly well-preserved and thoughtfully presented. The visitor center was modern, informative and interactive, offering a perfect introduction to the events of June 1815. The 4D cinematic experience and the immersive museum displays brought the battle to life in a way that captivated all of us, especially our son. He was in awe seeing uniforms, weapons and detailed dioramas that told the story from multiple perspectives.

Walking the actual battlefield was surreal. Standing on the ridge where Wellington’s troops held the line and then climbing the Lion’s Mound gave us a panoramic view that helped us truly understand the scale and strategy of the battle. The sightlines between Hougoumont, La Haye Sainte and Papelotte farms made it easy to picture the movements of the armies. For a history lover, this is sacred ground.

We also visited the Hougoumont Farm, which has been carefully restored and now includes multimedia exhibits. The moment you step into the courtyard, you feel transported back in time. The contrast between the peaceful countryside and the echoes of such a brutal and pivotal clash in European history is striking.

The staff and guides were friendly, knowledgeable and clearly passionate about sharing the story of Waterloo. Everything was clean, well-organized and accessible. Whether you're a history buff or a casual visitor, there is so much to take in and appreciate.

Our son described the experience as “a dream come true,” and I couldn’t agree more. Waterloo is more than just a battlefield. It is a monument to courage, leadership and the turning tides of history. Visiting here was deeply moving and truly unforgettable. Highly recommended for families, history lovers and anyone who wants to connect with the past in a powerful and...

Fantastic Experience!

Came here 7/5/23 10:00-14:50 with the €21 ticket for students (no entrance to the Wellington Museum and the farm where the general slept before the Battle) €3,5 365a Bus from Bruxelles Porte de Hal.

At the ticket office you are provided with a map of the area, carrage ride timetable and the daily schedule for the different activities they offer (cannon shooting, first aid in a battlefield, platoon...).

The whole visit was great, the audioguide (that you download on your cellphone, good thing I carry headphones) was detailed and interesting. The displays working, and full of images and fun facts. The timelines on the wall help you understand the sequence of events on both sides.

Only things I feel were missing were more details about all the Marshalls that served under Napoleon (which I was looking forward after having seen a docuseries on YouTube), especially my sister's favourite Oudinout aka "colinder man".

After 2:25h, at 12:30 I got on the 10min horse carriage ride to the Hougoumont Farm. There one of the workers gave a tour of the area, unfortunately only in French, so I couldn't participate. Although a lot of action happened around this Farm and the importance it had in defeating Napoleon, there wasn't that much information (on the app), so you can easily visit it in 40min.

Walk back to the Panorama of the Battle of Waterloo. Very impressive! It goes in great detail of what was happening in that day, and a MUST is using the guide to understand what all the details are representing. Don't glance at it quickly, but take your time to study it (it took me 40min). Loved it :-)

Then up I went to the Lion Mound which is more for the view you see, but on a rainy day, you had slippery stairs and not too much to see except dark clouds and green fields.

Afterwards I went to see the field activities, where I got to try the different (more for kids size) uniforms and hold an original bayonette (heavy!).

And that was my experience, really...