# Waterloo The field where Napoleon fell in 1815: Memorial, Panorama, Lion's Mound and Hougoumont farm, about 20 minutes from Brussels. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/belgium/waterloo · Revisado: 2026-11-12 On 18 June 1815, in wheat fields south of Brussels, the army of Wellington and the Prussian army of Blücher defeated Napoleon and closed an era. The battlefield is still almost as it was then, with its artificial hill crowned by a lion, brick farms and paths between crops. It is the history day trip closest to Brussels: about twenty minutes away. ## How do you get there from Brussels? By car, about 20 minutes on the R0 to the Memorial, with free parking. A car helps you see the Wellington Museum too, in the village, and Napoleon's headquarters to the south. Without a car, take the train to Waterloo or Braine-l'Alleud and the W bus to the site; the W bus also leaves from Brussels. Note: the village of Waterloo and the battlefield are not in the same place. The Memorial is about 4 km south of the centre, in the municipality of Braine-l'Alleud. ## What to see in a day? Start at the Memorial 1815 and the Panorama: the underground museum tells the story of the battle with a 4D film, and the 1912 Panorama puts you inside the cavalry charge. Then climb the Lion's Mound, 226 steps, to see the whole field. Have lunch on the site and take the shuttle to Hougoumont farm, the one the British defended all day. With a car and the Pass 1815, add the Wellington Museum, in the village, and Napoleon's last headquarters. ## Which ticket should I buy? The ticket to the site includes the Memorial, Panorama, mound and Hougoumont: €25.50 from November to March and €29 in high season, €5 less without the immersive screening; under-10s do not pay. The Pass 1815, for €30, adds the two headquarters. It is open every day of the year. ## Where to eat and sleep? Le Bivouac, the café-restaurant on the site, is open every day, with a terrace facing the mound and a children's menu. For sleeping, Le Côté Vert is a four-star in the centre of Waterloo with free parking, and the Hougoumont cottage, inside the farm, sleeps five and is for anyone who wants to spend the night on the battlefield. ## How to combine it? Waterloo takes half a day and combines well with an afternoon in Brussels. With a car, continue south on the N5 to Dinant and the Meuse, an hour away. If you are interested in military history, Bastogne tells the story of the other great Belgian battle, that of the Ardennes in 1944. ## Dónde está - Cerca: Villers-la-Ville Abbey (a 13.2 km), Brussels (a 19.0 km), Leuven (a 30.5 km), Mechelen (a 39.2 km) ## Qué hacer - **The Memorial 1815 and the Battle Panorama** (2 h · Families with children from age 8 or 9, teenagers and adults · Site ticket €25.50 from November to March and €29 in high season · €15.25–17 for ages 10 to 17 · free under 10 · €5 less without the immersive screening): The Memorial 1815 is the visitor centre of the Waterloo battlefield, buried beneath the lawn at the foot of the Lion's Mound. It tells of 18 June 1815, when Wellington and Blücher defeated Napoleon, with period objects, uniforms, animated maps and a 4D film. Next to it, the Panorama, a building from 1912 with a circular painting 110 metres long and 12 high that puts you in the middle of the French cavalry charge. The ticket A single ticket gives access to the whole site: Memorial, Panorama, Lion's Mound and Hougoumont farm, and in season the electric shuttle between them. It costs €25.50 from November to March and €29 in high season (April to October on holidays, public holidays and weekends); ages 10 to 17, €15.25 or €17, and free under 10. Without the immersive screening After the Battle it is €5 less. The Pass 1815 adds the Wellington Museum and Napoleon's last headquarters for €30. Parking is free. Opening hours Open every day of the year: from 10:00 to 17:30 from November to March, until 18:30 in spring and autumn and from 9:30 to 19:00 in July and August. - **The Lion's Mound (Butte du Lion)** (45 min · Fit people; staircase without a lift · Included in the site ticket): A cone of earth about 40 metres high raised by hand after the battle, on the spot where the Prince of Orange was wounded, and crowned by an iron lion that looks towards France. You climb 226 steps and at the top you see the whole battlefield: Hougoumont farm to the right, La Haye Sainte ahead and the ridges where the Guard attacked. How to climb It is included in the site ticket. In wind and rain the staircase is hard; choose a dry moment and leave the mound until after the Memorial, when you already know what to look at. - **Hougoumont farm** (1 h · All ages · Included in the site ticket): Hougoumont is the walled farm that the British defended all day during the battle, on Wellington's right wing, and the last authentic remnant of the 1815 field. Today it has a four-room museum, an immersive light and sound show and a tea room. Opening hours and access Open from 11:00 to 18:00 in spring and autumn, until 18:30 in July and August and from 11:00 to 17:00 from November to March, when on weekdays only the exteriors can be seen. It is about 1.5 km from the Memorial: in season the electric 1815 shuttle runs, included in the ticket; otherwise you walk along the paths of the field. - **The Wellington Museum, in the centre of Waterloo** (1 h · Adults and teenagers · Included in the Pass 1815 (€30) · free with MuseumPass): In the centre of the village of Waterloo, about 4 km north of the battlefield, the old inn from 1705 where Wellington had his headquarters on the night of 17 June 1815, and from where he wrote the dispatch of the victory. Today it displays mementoes, weapons and engravings of the battle. Opening hours and admission Open Tuesday to Sunday, public holidays included, from 10:00 to 17:00; closed on Mondays, 25 December and 1 January. It is included in the site's Pass 1815, which also adds Napoleon's last headquarters, and is free with the Belgian MuseumPass. - **Napoleon's last headquarters** (45 min · Adults and teenagers · Included in the Pass 1815 (€30 adults, €16.50 for ages 10 to 17)): The Caillou farm, south of the battlefield, at Vieux-Genappe, was Napoleon's last headquarters: here he spent the night of 17 to 18 June 1815 and prepared the attack. Today it is a small museum with mementoes of the emperor and his staff. How to visit It is included in the Pass 1815 along with the Wellington Museum, for €30 for adults and €16.50 for ages 10 to 17, and is about 4 km from the Memorial: you need a car or taxi. ## Dónde comer - **Café-Restaurant Le Bivouac** (Restaurant, Braine-l'Alleud · at the foot of the Lion's Mound, €€). Qué pedir: a Belgian brasserie dish or a waffle after climbing the mound - **L'Amusoir** (Restaurant, Waterloo · Chaussée de Bruxelles, €€). Qué pedir: a Belgian brasserie dish or the suggestions of the month; in winter, a fondue in the Chalet ## By plane: Flight to Brussels or Charleroi and car or train to Waterloo Waterloo is about 20 minutes south of Brussels. You fly to Brussels-Zaventem or Charleroi, both with direct flights from Spain, and arrive by hire car, which is the most convenient for moving between the battle sites, or by train and W bus. ### Dónde dormir if you're flying - **Le Côté Vert** (Hotel): A four-star hotel half a step from the centre of Waterloo, on the chaussée de Bruxelles, a few minutes from the Wellington Museum. It has a green feel, with lounges and an inner garden, and is a comfortable base if you arrive by car. The rooms Executive rooms of 25 m² and superior rooms of 30 m², with a large bed or two beds, air conditioning, wifi, minibar and safe; connecting rooms for families; a 45 m² studio with a kitchen and a two-bedroom apartment of 95 m². There is a gym, a bar with Belgian beers and room service. The restaurant La Cuisine, by Laetitia and Christophe, is a seasonal bistronomy table with a good wine list. It is open Monday to Friday; on weekends and public holidays it is closed. Next door, Le Cellier sells wines and tableware. Getting there Large free private car park. By train, Waterloo station is a few minutes away; for the battlefield, W bus or car. Closed at Christmas, from 19 December to 10 January. - **The Hougoumont farm cottage** (Country house): The Waterloo site rents a house inside Hougoumont farm, the last authentic remnant of the 1815 battle. Sleeping here means waking up where the British held out all day. The house For four or five people: three single beds and a double. Kitchen with oven, microwave, dishwasher, fridge, toaster, kettle and coffee machine, heating and wifi. Bed linen and cleaning included. Check-in is self-service. Getting there It is about 20 minutes from Brussels by car. Without a car, train to Braine-l'Alleud and the W bus, which also leaves from Brussels and Waterloo. ### Servicios - **Train to Braine-l'Alleud or Waterloo and W bus to the battlefield**: Train from Brussels to Waterloo or Braine-l'Alleud · W bus to the Memorial · also from Brussels ## By car: Waterloo by car By car, Waterloo can be seen in full in a day: the Memorial with free parking, Hougoumont, the Wellington Museum in the village and Napoleon's last headquarters, about 4 km to the south. Presupuesto orientativo: 90–170 € por persona y día. ### Dónde dormir if you're driving - **Le Côté Vert** (Hotel): A four-star hotel half a step from the centre of Waterloo, on the chaussée de Bruxelles, a few minutes from the Wellington Museum. It has a green feel, with lounges and an inner garden, and is a comfortable base if you arrive by car. The rooms Executive rooms of 25 m² and superior rooms of 30 m², with a large bed or two beds, air conditioning, wifi, minibar and safe; connecting rooms for families; a 45 m² studio with a kitchen and a two-bedroom apartment of 95 m². There is a gym, a bar with Belgian beers and room service. The restaurant La Cuisine, by Laetitia and Christophe, is a seasonal bistronomy table with a good wine list. It is open Monday to Friday; on weekends and public holidays it is closed. Next door, Le Cellier sells wines and tableware. Getting there Large free private car park. By train, Waterloo station is a few minutes away; for the battlefield, W bus or car. Closed at Christmas, from 19 December to 10 January. - **The Hougoumont farm cottage** (Country house): The Waterloo site rents a house inside Hougoumont farm, the last authentic remnant of the 1815 battle. Sleeping here means waking up where the British held out all day. The house For four or five people: three single beds and a double. Kitchen with oven, microwave, dishwasher, fridge, toaster, kettle and coffee machine, heating and wifi. Bed linen and cleaning included. Check-in is self-service. Getting there It is about 20 minutes from Brussels by car. Without a car, train to Braine-l'Alleud and the W bus, which also leaves from Brussels and Waterloo. ### Servicios - **Free Memorial car parks**: Two large free car parks next to the site, with spaces for reduced mobility ## Car-free: Waterloo by train and bus Without a car you can do the main part well: train to Waterloo or Braine-l'Alleud and W bus to the Memorial; within the site, the electric shuttle to Hougoumont in season. Napoleon's headquarters is out of reach without a car or taxi. Presupuesto orientativo: 80–150 € por persona y día. ### Dónde dormir without a car - **Le Côté Vert** (Hotel): A four-star hotel half a step from the centre of Waterloo, on the chaussée de Bruxelles, a few minutes from the Wellington Museum. It has a green feel, with lounges and an inner garden, and is a comfortable base if you arrive by car. The rooms Executive rooms of 25 m² and superior rooms of 30 m², with a large bed or two beds, air conditioning, wifi, minibar and safe; connecting rooms for families; a 45 m² studio with a kitchen and a two-bedroom apartment of 95 m². There is a gym, a bar with Belgian beers and room service. The restaurant La Cuisine, by Laetitia and Christophe, is a seasonal bistronomy table with a good wine list. It is open Monday to Friday; on weekends and public holidays it is closed. Next door, Le Cellier sells wines and tableware. Getting there Large free private car park. By train, Waterloo station is a few minutes away; for the battlefield, W bus or car. Closed at Christmas, from 19 December to 10 January. - **The Hougoumont farm cottage** (Country house): The Waterloo site rents a house inside Hougoumont farm, the last authentic remnant of the 1815 battle. Sleeping here means waking up where the British held out all day. The house For four or five people: three single beds and a double. Kitchen with oven, microwave, dishwasher, fridge, toaster, kettle and coffee machine, heating and wifi. Bed linen and cleaning included. Check-in is self-service. Getting there It is about 20 minutes from Brussels by car. Without a car, train to Braine-l'Alleud and the W bus, which also leaves from Brussels and Waterloo. ### Servicios - **Train to Braine-l'Alleud or Waterloo and W bus to the battlefield**: Train from Brussels to Waterloo or Braine-l'Alleud · W bus to the Memorial · also from Brussels ## As a family: Waterloo with children From about age eight, Waterloo grips them: a 4D film, a giant painting that surrounds you, a hill with a lion and a farm that withstood a siege. Under-10s do not pay. ### What works best The Panorama, which puts them inside the battle The Lion's Mound, 226 steps Hougoumont farm, with its light and sound show The electric shuttle between the sites ### Where to sleep The Hougoumont cottage, for five Connecting rooms at Le Côté Vert ### Where to eat Le Bivouac, with a children's menu ### Bear in mind In summer there are seasonal activities and, in some years, re-enactments With small children, the Memorial can frighten them with the sound of the film ### Qué hacer as a family - The Memorial 1815 and the Battle Panorama - The Lion's Mound (Butte du Lion) - Hougoumont farm ## With teenagers: Waterloo with teenagers If they like history, strategy video games or Napoleon, Waterloo is a perfect day: the field makes sense from the mound and Hougoumont farm bears the marks of the siege. ### What works best The Memorial and its 4D film The Lion's Mound, with the battle plan Hougoumont and Napoleon's headquarters with the Pass 1815 ### Where to sleep The Hougoumont cottage, inside the field ### Where to eat Le Bivouac ### Bear in mind Ages 10 to 17 pay a reduced entry ### Qué hacer with teenagers - The Memorial 1815 and the Battle Panorama - The Lion's Mound (Butte du Lion) - Hougoumont farm - The Wellington Museum, in the centre of Waterloo - Napoleon's last headquarters ## Consejos ### Memorial first With the context, the mound and Hougoumont make sense. ### Check the season From November to March, on weekdays Hougoumont shows only the exteriors. ### The Pass 1815 only with a car Wellington's and Napoleon's headquarters are far from each other. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How much does it cost to visit the Waterloo battlefield? From €25.50 for the ticket to the site, with Memorial, Panorama, Lion's Mound and Hougoumont; free for under-10s. ### How do I get to Waterloo from Brussels without a car? By train to Waterloo or Braine-l'Alleud and on the W bus to the Memorial. ### How much time do I need? Half a day for the site; a whole day with Wellington's and Napoleon's headquarters. ### Is it open every day? Yes, all 365 days of the year. ### Are there battle re-enactments? The site organises events in June and activities in season; for 2027 it announces a musical show about Napoleon from 12 August to 4 September.