The Solo Scale:
For years, every time I planned a trip to Europe, I searched for an itinerary that would bring me to Bastogne. I’m fascinated by history, especially military history and the Battle of the Bulge is a deeply tragic historic event that I’ve always wanted to learn more about. On my last trip to Europe, my itinerary brought me to Belgium. That had me perfectly situated for a visit to the Bastogne War Museum and monument.
There’s a lot of parking available if you’re renting a car. If you’re relying on public transport, there is a nearby train station. However, then you have to either wait for a bus or take a taxi or rideshare. This is a genuinely busy museum considering that you have to drive to it, but given how first-class it is, I’m not that surprised.
I wound up spending just over two hours here. In retrospect, I would have loved more time if I didn’t have a hotel to check into. There are nearby trails that you can walk that bring you closer to the actual sights of the battle. However, the scars on the landscape will have mostly faded at this point.
Don’t be deceived by the seemingly small building. This museum is packed to the brim with exhibits. Plus, in my opinion, it has one of the most interactive systems for navigating the museum that I’ve ever seen. The museum operates with headsets as many others do. What’s different about the Bastogne War Museum is how they deliver the information. Within the very first room, you’ll meet four figures illuminated on the wall. These four people are the stories that you’ll hear as you navigate the chronological exhibit. They include the POV of an American soldier, a German one, a local schoolteacher in the resistance, and a local boy whose family is impacted by the fighting.
These stories run parallel to one another for a long time and eventually coalesce. While these particular stories are fiction, they borrow from the truth of hundreds of real people who lived similar experiences. Narratively, it makes the visit more engaging to create a connection to a character as you traverse the timeline toward the infamous Battle of the Bulge.
One of the other things that this museum does impressively are their interactive video segments. They have several that put you right in the action with effects, mannequins, and mixed media.
As I mentioned, I would have liked more time. I had to skip one of the interactive segments, but I do think the one replicating the Jacques Woods was the most impressive. However, I was being cautious on time because I wanted to see the monument.
TRIP TIP: If you want to skip sections without feeling like you’re missing out, reading up on Operation Overlord helps you skip some of the prelude section that are setting the scene for the Battle of the Bulge.
After the museum, you can head out to the massive memorial. When I visited, I was unable to climb to the top or head inside as it was gated off for restoration. Luckily, the impressive effect remains from a distance. On the way to it, you can stop at the monument for the 101st Airborne.
In the outside area, you can visit the crypt and views of the surrounding areas. There are several placards to orient you to key moments in the Battle of the Bulge nearby. Make sure you leave some time for the outside part of the visit because it does take a bit of walking around the expansive grounds to see it all.
Overall, this can be a bit of a sombre visit. After all, you’re standing on ground soaked in blood and sacrifice. However, if you have any interest in WWII history or want to learn a little more about the Battle of the Bulge, this is a good visit.
To learn more, check out the website here and plan for your visit.
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[…] other military history places that are notable are the Bastogne War Museum in Bastogne, which is both accessible by Brussels, but also a good day trip from Luxembourg. This […]