Memorial Waterloo 1815 and the village of PLANCENOIT

Tour guides can accommodate up to 25 people. For Larger groups, please book additional guides as needed

In summary :

The visit to the Memorial 1815 Village, followed by that of the village of Plancenoit, will give you both a detailed and global vision of the battle, within its 19^th century European context.  You will also see first-hand how the topography influenced the events of the day.  This visit, focusing on the Prussian contribution to the Allied victory, will explain the journey taken by the Prussians, and their influence on the final outcome of the battle.. . .

It will be done in four parts:

1. A lively overview of the causes and consequences of this battle (the how and the why), as well as the details of the days of June 16 and 17, which led up to it.
2. Climbing the Lion Mound, monument which commemorates the Allied victory.
3. The explanation of the Panorama, a gigantic fresco celebrating the 100th anniversary of the battle.
4. A visit to the village of Plancenoit where, starting from the main square, we trace the route of the Prussian army, discuss the characters of its leaders, and the various attacks within the village. Finally, we will stop at the Prussian monument, of neogothic style (Schinkel design).

This visit will then continue with audio-guide in the Memorial 1815 Museum.

The site :

The Lion Mound is a monument 40 meters high, erected between 1823 and 1826 by the King of Holland at the presumed place where his son, the Prince of Orange, was wounded on June 18th. The mound is surmounted by a colossal lion symbolizing the allied victory. It is accessed by a staircase of 226 steps.

The Panorama, a UNESCO Heritage Nominee, is a vast circular building housing a gigantic fresco, painted in 1912 to celebrate the first centenary of the battle. The canvas, which is 110 meters long and 12 meters high, is a spectacular representation of a key moment of the battle: the French cavalry charge and the Allied resistance around 16:30 p.m.

The village of Plancenoit was the subject of fierce fighting between the Prussians, who were trying to get around the French army to the East, and the French reserves that Napoleon had dispatched at the last minute. The Prussians, having left Wavre about 4 AM that morning, could only join the fray at about 4.30 PM, while Wellington’s troops were dealing with the waves of French cavalry attacks. The village changed hands three times, and finally fell into the hands of the Prussians in the evening, precipitating the French defeat. The Prussian monument in the upper village is considered the most beautiful building on the battlefield.

Our visit :

The Lion Mound: your guide will take you up to the summit and tell you all about the battle, the strategic importance of the topography, the position and the deployment of the troops in the fields all around, the charges of the French cavalry, the allied squares, the strategy of each belligerent, the strengths, the errors, the setbacks, the anecdotes, the monuments ...

The Panorama: the guide will lead you through the diorama, relating it to the realities of the battlefield, which will allow you to appreciate the historical importance, and the pictural and heritage of this amazing recreation.

And the History of all this? Your guide will take the time to explain to you, either with the help of maps or outdoors, what led Europe to this terrible battle and why it took place in Belgium. The first days of the Waterloo Campaign, i.e. the days of June 15, 16 and 17th, will also be discussed.

The village of Plancenoit offers a magnificent place from which the guide will explain the French and Prussian manoeuvres on June 18, 1815. A short walk to the Prussian monument will reveal topography of the village and explain the horrible bitterness of the fighting. 

 :  Opening hours, ticket prices, and access

 :  Ticket to the Memorial 1815.  No ticket required for Plancenoit                  

 : This site is wheelchair accessible (except for the Panorama, and the Lion Mound)

A vehicle will be needed for travel between the sites (except between the Memorial and the Hougoumont Farm) as well as appropriate clothing for the outdoors

Our four-legged friends are not allowed in the sites

: Route du lion 1815, 1420 Braine l’Alleud - http://waterloo1815.be/