Bastogne War Museum
2 h 30From about age 10; under-12s accompanied
The museum of the Battle of the Bulge at the Mardasson, with an audio guide in four voices; €28 with the Bois Jacques and the War Rooms included.
From €28
Book
Minimum time1 day
Combined ticket€28 adult
CarRecommended
MardassonFree
What to do
What to do in Bastogne
Each plan says how long it takes, who it's for and whether you can book.
Mardasson Memorial
30 minAll ages
A 1950 star on the Mardasson hill in honour of the American soldiers, with a crypt of mosaics by Fernand Léger; free visit.
Foxholes of the Bois Jacques
30 minAll ages; difficult with a pushchair
The forest near Foy with the foxholes of Easy Company, 4 km from the War Museum; 30 minutes with augmented reality, included in the ticket.
Itineraries
Itineraries that pass through
Days and weekends already planned out, with how to get between each stop and who to book with.
Plan the trip
Bastogne, step by step
Each choice narrows the next: the season shapes how best to travel, and how you travel decides where you stay and where you eat.
When to go
When to go to Bastogne
From May to September, to combine Bastogne with the river and the forest. In December the anniversary of the battle is commemorated and the village fills up; it is cold, as it was the winter the fighting took place. In high season and at weekends, book your museum slot.
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Best timeGood timeLow season
How you travel
Bastogne your way
Choose how you're travelling and we'll tell you where to stay, how to get around, where to eat and which services you'll need. We only show the ways of travelling that make sense here.
One night in Bastogne and the car for the Ardennes
With a car, Bastogne can be seen in a day and on the second you head for the river or the abbey. The museum, the Bois Jacques and the War Rooms are in different places, a few minutes from each other.
80–130 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepHotels in the centre of…
- Getting aroundMuseum and Mardasson in the…
- Where to eatRestaurants and brasseries on McAuliffe…
- ServicesMuseum car park, €7.50; Bois…
Where to sleep
- Hotels in the centre of Bastogne, next to McAuliffe Square
- The Renval campsite, on the way out of the village
Getting around
- Museum and Mardasson in the morning; Bois Jacques and War Rooms in the afternoon
- La Roche-en-Ardenne, to the north-west, for the Ourthe and the castle
- Orval, to the south, near the French border
Where to eat
- Restaurants and brasseries on McAuliffe Square
- The museum bistro at lunchtime
- The Orval tavern if you are going to the abbey
Services
- Museum car park, €7.50; Bois Jacques and War Rooms, free
By train to Libramont and bus to Bastogne
It works for the village and the museum, not for the Ardennes. Bastogne has no railway station: you arrive at Libramont and continue by bus. The centre, the museum and the Mardasson can be done on foot; for the Bois Jacques, about four kilometres from the museum, you need a taxi.
90–140 €per person per day, approximate
- Where to sleepHotels in the centre, near…
- Getting aroundTrain to Libramont and TEC…
- Where to eatRestaurants on McAuliffe Square
- ServicesTEC ticket for the bus…
Where to sleep
- Hotels in the centre, near McAuliffe Square
Getting around
- Train to Libramont and TEC bus to Bastogne
- On foot around the village, to the museum and the War Rooms
- La Roche and Orval are out of reach without a car
Where to eat
- Restaurants on McAuliffe Square
- The museum bistro
Services
- TEC ticket for the bus from Libramont
How much does it cost?
People2
Nights3
Who you're with
Bastogne for whoever you're with
A trip with a toddler is not the same as one with a teenager. Pick yours to see what works and what to bear in mind.
From the museum to the forest where the foxholes were
With teenagers, Bastogne works better than many war museums because the visit goes outdoors: after the museum, the forest at Foy, where the foxholes remain, and the Barracks vehicles. If they have seen Band of Brothers, the Bois Jacques will mean something to them.
- What works bestThe Bois Jacques with the…
- Where to sleepHotels in the centre, so…
- Where to eatThe brasseries on the square…
- Bear in mindThe museum takes two and…
What works best
- The Bois Jacques with the augmented reality app
- The vehicles at the Bastogne Barracks and the restoration workshops
- McAuliffe's basement at the War Rooms
- Kayaking down the Ourthe the next day
Where to sleep
- Hotels in the centre, so they can go out alone to the square
Where to eat
- The brasseries on the square have cooking for everyone
Bear in mind
- The museum takes two and a half hours: do not put it after another long visit
- Under-12s enter accompanied by an adult
What to do with teenagers
A day of history and a day on the river
With children of different ages, split it up: the museum is long for the little ones, but the Mardasson, the forest and the Barracks vehicles can be seen without effort. On the second day, the Ourthe at La Roche is what everyone will remember.
- What works bestThe kayak descent from Maboge…
- Where to sleepThe Hôtel Melba, large and…
- Where to eatThe museum bistro, with a…
- Bear in mindThe paths at the Bois…
What works best
- The kayak descent from Maboge to La Roche, the one recommended for children
- The vehicles at the Barracks, with free entry for under-6s
- The ruins of Orval, with room to move around
Where to sleep
- The Hôtel Melba, large and in the centre
- The Renval campsite if you are travelling with a tent
Where to eat
- The museum bistro, with a terrace
- A picnic by the river at La Roche
Bear in mind
- The paths at the Bois Jacques are difficult with a pushchair: a baby carrier is better
- Under-6s do not pay at the museum; for ages 6 to 18 there is a reduced rate and a family ticket
- A small child tires long before the two and a half hours of the museum
What to do as a family
Where to stay
Where to stay if you're drivingwithout a car
We show you what suits the way you travel.Change how you travel
Hôtel Melba
Why we like it: A large hotel in the centre of Bastogne, with a restaurant. Without a car, the museum and the square can be reached on foot.
Léo Station Hotel
Why we like it: In the centre, in the same establishment as the bistro, the restaurant and the shop of Wagon Léo.
Hôtel du Sud
Why we like it: A simple hotel a step from the square, for a night between the museum and the Ardennes.
Camping de Renval
Why we like it: The village campsite, on the road out towards Marche, for arriving with a tent or motorhome. Check the exact dates before you go.
Services for this trip
Where to eat
Where to eat in Bastogne
From set lunch menus to Michelin stars. We mark the price level and what to order at each place.
Wagon Léo
What to order: the bistro at lunchtime, the restaurant for dinner.
McAuliffe Square · restaurant, bistro and hotel
Brasserie Lamborelle
What to order: Belgian beer-based cooking.
At the end of rue Lamborelle, not on the main street
Bistrot de la Paix
What to order: something quick between the museum and the Bois Jacques.
At the Bastogne War Museum · open during museum hours, no ticket needed · terrace with 100 seats
À l'Ange Gardien
What to order: the Orval Vert, which is served only here, with Orval cheese.
Next to Orval Abbey · kitchen from 11:30 to 15:00 and from 18:00 to 20:00 · closed one day a week and in January open to groups only by reservation
Nearby
Near Bastogne
The closest places, whichever country they are in.
50.13° N · 5.19° E
Caves of Han (Han-sur-Lesse)
By planeBy carCar-free
50.35° N · 5.46° E
Durbuy and La Roche-en-Ardenne
By carBy plane
49.79° N · 5.06° E
Bouillon
By carBy plane
50.49° N · 5.87° E
Spa
By carBy plane
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Book your museum slot
It is not compulsory, but without a booking entry is not guaranteed at weekends, on public holidays and during school holidays.
- 2Keep your ticket
It is valid for six months for the parts you have not seen: museum, Bois Jacques and War Rooms.
- 3Footwear for the forest
The paths to the foxholes in the Bois Jacques get muddy and are difficult with a pushchair or wheelchair.
- 4The Barracks close on Mondays
They are open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 to 17:00.
How much time do you need?
One day for the essentials: the Bastogne War Museum in the morning, the Mardasson Memorial next to it and, in the afternoon, the Bois Jacques and the War Rooms. The combined ticket covers all three and is valid for six months, so you can spread them out. With one more night, the second day is for something that has nothing to do with the war: kayaking the Ourthe at La Roche-en-Ardenne or visiting Orval Abbey, close to the French border.
What to see in the village?
On McAuliffe Square, the centre, there is a tank on display and most of the restaurants. The museum and the Mardasson stand on a hill on the outskirts, with paid parking; the Bois Jacques is about four kilometres from the museum, in Foy, and the War Rooms are on the rue de La Roche, next to the Bastogne Barracks.
Can you go without a car?
Bastogne has no railway station. You take the train to Libramont and continue by TEC bus. The centre and the museum can be done on foot; for the Bois Jacques, La Roche and Orval you need a car.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Bastogne War Museum cost?
€28 per adult, €15.50 for ages 6 to 18 and free for under-6s. There is a family ticket for €72 for two adults and two children. It includes the Bois Jacques and the War Rooms.
How long does the visit take?
The museum takes about two and a half hours; the Bois Jacques, half an hour; the War Rooms, an hour. The Mardasson, next to the museum, is free.
Can you visit the Bastogne Barracks?
Yes, Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00, with a separate ticket: €12 per adult and €9 for ages 6 to 18. They hold military vehicles and restoration workshops.
Is it suitable for children?
Under-12s must be accompanied by an adult. The museum works from about age 10; the Bois Jacques and the vehicles at the Barracks suit younger children. With small children, leave time for La Roche and the river.
What is there to do in the Ardennes besides history?
Kayak down the Ourthe from Maboge to La Roche-en-Ardenne, climb up to La Roche castle, or see the ruins of Orval Abbey and try its beer in the tavern opposite.