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| Routes to the past in French-speaking Belgium |
The 'Battle of the Ardennes' was the final confrontation of the Second World War that took place on Belgian soil between 16 December 1944 and 28 January 1945. Many lived through it, others have heard about it, but nobody today can remain indifferent about this decisive episode.
Every year, not only in Bastogne but also in La Roche-en-Ardenne, Hotton, Houffalize Malmedy, Sankt Vith, Marche-en-Famenne, Vielsalm, or in Neuville-en-Condroz or Henri-Chapelle as well as in other places, villages and towns in Wallonia, we remember! We remember with emotion, reverence and respect these soldiers who came from overseas to bring peace into our towns, villages and homes, and paid a very heavy price.
It is our wish to express our "duty of remembrance" through this brochure that will guide you from towns to villages, from memorial stones to monuments, from museums to sites or military cemeteries. Also, it’s an opportunity to discover "down memory lane" the present day aspects of these regions of Wallonia, which, while not forgetting the “historical past”, offer you the most beautiful aspects of convivial tourism, in which the proximity and “the glow of living” punctuate our suggestions for relaxing or unusual discoveries.
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| ROUTE 1: The British in the battle |
| Itinerary: This route starts at Florennes, and goes through de towns and villages of Dinant, Celles, Rochefort, Bure Saint Hubert, Champlon, Bande, Marche-en-Famenne Hotton and finally La Roche-en-Ardenne.
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| ROUTE 2: Bastogne |
| Itinerary: This route starts at Bastogne, and goes through the following towns and villages: Bizory, Recogne, Noville Mageret, Neffe, Marvie, Villers-La-Bonne-Eau, Assenois Senonchamps, Hemroulle, Champs, Longchamps and finally back Bastogne (Place Merceny).
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| ROUTE 3: The breakthrough of the German 6th panzer army |
| Itinerary: This route starts at Henri Chapelle, and runs through the villages and towns of Eupen, Elsenborn Krinkelt-Rocherath, Büllingen, Bütgenbach, Baugnez Ligneuville, Saint Vith, Poteau, Vielsalm, Grand Halleux Neufmoulin, Trois-Ponts and finally La Gleize.
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| ROUTE 4:
The stopping of the 6th and 5th German Panzer Armies |
Itinerary: This route starts at Neuville-en-Condroz, and runs through the villages and towns of Rabozée-Baillonville Marche-en-Famenne & Verdenne, Hotton Melines-Soy Sadzot, Grandmenil, Manhay, Malempre, Bra-sur-Lienne Trois-Ponts, Stavelot, Malmedy, La Gleize and finally Werbomont.
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| ROUTE 5:
Patton and his 4th Armored Division |
| Itinerary: This route starts at Bastogne, and runs through the villages and towns of Roche-en-Ardenne, Marcourt-Marcouray, Beffe, Dochamps, Samree, Baraque de Fraiture Bovigny, Wibrin and finally Houffalize.
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| World War II |
| AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERIES |
Ardennes America Cemetery Neuville-en-Condroz
This World War II cemetery covers 90 acres and contains the graves of 5,328 American servicemen, many of whom died in the Battle of the Bulge. When the cemetery is open to the public, a staff member is on duty in the Visitors' Building to answer questions and escort relatives to grave and memorial sites. Directions: Direct trains from Brussels to Liege (62 miles) run every 30 minutes. Taxis and a limited bus service to Neuville-en-Condroz (45 minutes) are available from Liege. |
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Cemetery Henri-Chapelle - Hombourg.
In this World War II cemetery of 57 acres, rest 7992 American servicemen, many of whom gave their lives during the advance of the U.S. Armed Forces into Germany. The cemetery is located 2 miles west of the village of Henri-Chapelle, which is about 18 miles from Liege. Directions: Trains run from Brussels to Welkenraedt (23 miles west of Liege). The train station is only a short bus or taxi ride from the cemetery. |
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American Battle Monuments Commission
Additional information on American Military cemeteries. |
| MUSEUMS AND MEMORIALS |
Royal Museum of the Army Brussels
The museum offers an insight in the fundamental changes which have taken place in armament and military technology over more than 10 centuries. |
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Museum December 1944 - La Gleize-Stoumont
The Gillain collection is one of the most important in Europe for uniforms, equipment and American and German badges. Contact: museum@december44.com |
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Museum of the Battle of the Bulge La-Roche-en-Ardenne
The visitor will discover over 120 mannequins of American English, German and even Scottish soldiers with their equipment and armament, as well as uniforms donated by veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. Discover an important collection of light and heavy arms, photographic documents, personal objects and equipment found on the battlefield. Some 20 military vehicles are also on display. Contact: info@batarden.be |
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Ardennen Poteau '44 Museum Poteau-St.Vith
Tours are offered in halftracks around the battlefields.
Contact: poteau44@scarlet.be. |
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The Mardasson Memorial Bastogne
This memorial is a tribute from the Belgian population as a whole to the American nation. Its construction came about thanks to an initiative of the Belgian American Association set up in 1945 and consisting of various Belgian dignitaries who wished to perpetuate the memory of those brave American youths who fell on our soil. Given that the American effort was so decisive here, Bastogne was chosen as the site for the memorial's construction. |
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Exhibition 'I was 20 in '45 in Bastogne Bastogne
The Bastogne exhibition is totally new and original. This is why, within the context of the sixtieth anniversary of the famous Battle of the Ardennes, the organizers are proposing an exhibition focused on memories. It will also deal with the elementary values of our democratic principles through the accounts of those who were part of the history. |
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Canada War Museum, Adegem-Maldegem
Through many realistic scenes you experience war time. A monumental panorama represents the battle for the Leopold canal in a most impressive way. This museum is unique in Europe. |
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Waterloo is, of course, the place where Napoleon lost the battle against the allied troops commanded by the Duke of Wellington and the Prussian Marshal Blucher in June 1815
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| World War I |
| AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERIES IN BELGIUM |
World War I Cemetery
This cemetery is on a six-acre site, about one and a half miles southeast of the town of Waregem and about 25 miles from Ypres (Ieper). It is the smallest American cemetery on the European continent and it is also the only American Cemetery in Belgium from the First World War. Directions: Trains from Brussels to Waregem take about 1h 15 minutes. |
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission
For Information on the location of any grave, cemetery or memorial. |
Belgian Cemetery Index
A list of all war cemeteries in Belgium with pictures. |
Saint Symphorien Military Cemetery
Established by the Germans in late August 1914, after the Battle of Mons and the subsequent British retreat from Belgium. It remained in German hands until November 1918 and has the distinction of containing the graves of some of the first and last casualties of the First World War. |
| Tours Operators in USA |
Alpventures Tours
Offers battle of the Bulge Tours and more. |
Historic Tours
WWII tours- offers custom-designed Veterans' Group Travel. |
MilSpec Tours
Offers battle of the Bulge tours. |
WW 1 & 2 Special Tours
Customized trips of 7 to 14 days which explore the battlefields, monuments, museums memorials, leaders (mainly American military) and history associated with these two incredibly significant events. |
2009 Victory in Europe Tours
The tours combine the expertise of local guides, Museum historians, WWII veterans and five-star accommodations to create a memorable, once in lifetime experience. |
| Tours Operators in Belgium |
| Tour Operators specialized in WW2: |
Battle of the Bulges Tours with a specialised tourist guide
Contact the Belgian Tourist Office for more information : contact |
Scenic Tours
Located in Dinant - offer tours dedicated to WWII with a mini van for groups up to 18 people. |
| Bastogne and Battle of the Bulge Guided Tours with Henri Mignon Mignon is a retired artillery officer of the Belgian Army, born in 1936 |
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