Group tour operator for specialist tours to Belgium
Battle of Waterloo
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Grand-Place – Grote Markt in Brussels ©VisitBrussels, E.Danhier
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Grand-Place – Grote Markt in Brussels ©VisitBrussels, E.Danhier
The Battle of Waterloo and the Waterloo Campaign was not only Napoleon’s last, but many historians consider it to have set the benchmark for modern day military standards. According to Wellington, the battle was “the nearest-run thing you ever saw in your life”. Napoleon abdicated four days later, and coalition forces entered Paris on 7 July.
The Battle of Waterloo was fought on Sunday, 18 June 1815 near Waterloo in present-day Belgium, then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. On this tour, trail the key locations and museums from your base in Brussels, that tell the story of this epic battle between empires and nations. Discover the key figures and learn about the man who would be Ruler of Europe.
Upon Napoleon’s return to power in 1815, many states that had opposed him formed the Seventh Coalition and began to mobilise their armies. Anglo-allied forces under Wellington and Prussian army under Gebhard von Blücher assembled close to the north-eastern border of France. Napoleon chose to attack in the hope of destroying them before they could join in a coordinated invasion of France with other members of the coalition. The decisive engagement of this three-day Waterloo Campaign (16–19 June 1815) occurred at the Battle of Waterloo.
2015 was the 200 year anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo; a battle that will live on forever in the history books. During this tour, you will discover the key locations and battlefields where these heavy conflicts took place. As well as this, discover how it changed the perception of military strategists forever.
Dates
Dates throughout 2023
Suggested Itinerary by Coach
Day 1
Welcome to Belgium
Arrive in Brussels and check in to your hotel. Time permitting begin to explore this beautiful city.
Day 2
The Battle of Waterloo
A tour guide will join the group for the full day and we start the day in Waterloo itself at the Wellington Museum which offers a large collection of artefacts from the Battle and where he set up his headquarters. Continuing on towards the Lion Hamlet we will take in sights such as Hougoumont Farm which is currently going through an extensive restoration programme. This was one of the bloodiest sites of the battle originally meant as a diversionary tactic but soon became the most violent point of fighting. Other farms such as Papelotte and Haie Sainte can be seen but not explored due to being private property or in need of restoration. Monuments such as The Wounded Eagle Monument dedicated to the last soldiers of Napoleon’s Grand Army, the Prussian Monument dedicated to the soldiers who fought under the command of Blucher alongside the 7th coalition and the Gordon Monument dedicated to the Wellington’s aide-de-camp can be seen.
Day 3
This morning, we visit the amazing Brussels War Museum with its collection of Napoleonic uniforms, weapons and equipment. Afterwards, we head out of Brussels southwards to Wavre, to discover the battlefields where the Prussians clashed with the french, resulting in a French hollow victory. Then we continue onto the Ligny Museum 1815. Nestled between Charleroi and Namur. Ligny is a sweet, peaceful village. Little would you guess Napoleon led and won one of his greatest battles here. Once a quaint farm house, this is now a museum, detailing epic battle that took place here.
Day 4
Depart
Depending on time, enjoy some final sightseeing or souvenir shopping before departing from Belgium.
Suggested hotels
We use a variety of hotels in Brussels which make a great base for this tour.
Would you like to see more of Belgium?
| 4 days | |
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| 2023 dates | Prices on request |
