Waterloo Battlefield

The Basics

The history-altering Waterloo saw Napoleon defeated, ended the Napoleonic Wars, and rebalanced power among European nations. Learn about the conflict at various battlefield sites and local farmhouses—including Hougoumont, La Haye Sainte, and more—that played a role in the fighting.

Tours departing from nearby hubs make it easy to explore the site and learn about its history. At Waterloo Battlefield, begin at the visitor center and Memorial Museum to see artifacts from the battle, a 3D film, and more. Stop to admire the Panorama, an enormous military painting by Louis Dumoulin measuring 361 feet (110 meters) long and 39 feet (12 meters) high and housed in a neoclassical rotunda. Wander the scattered memorials and historical sites, and make the 226-step climb to the crest of Lion’s Mound (Butte du Lion), topped by a mausoleum, interpretive plaques of the battle area, and a massive bronze lion statue.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The visitor center and Memorial Museum showcases films, has on-site eateries and a gift shop, and offers other amenities.

• Owing to its staircases and uneven ground, accessibility is difficult for wheelchair and stroller users and for those with limited mobility.

• For more on the area’s history, head to Hougoumont Farm to see a multimedia show.

How to Get There

Waterloo Battlefield is located in Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium. From Brussels, it is roughly a 40-minute drive via the N3 and R0. Many guided tours include round-trip transportation. To use public transportation, take train services from the city’s main train station (Brussel-Centraal) to Braine-l'Alleud / Eigenbrakel, and transfer to the 36 or 67 buses.

When to Get There

Waterloo Battlefield is open every day of the year, from morning until evening. Hours change with the seasons and are longer in the summer months. Hougoumont Farm also has slightly differing opening hours, so be sure to research specifics in advance.

Events at Waterloo Battlefield

Waterloo Battlefield hosts a range of events, including performances by costumed actors; recreations of “The Last Charge;” cannon and cavalry demonstrations; horse-drawn carriage rides; and a camping experience that caters to younger visitors and encourages kids to put on soldier’s outfits, watch demonstrations, and more. Most events are held daily during the summer months and Thursdays–Sundays from April–June and September–October.