Location: Bastogne
Top Things to do in Bastogne
- 1. Reg Jans Battlefield Experience - Day Tours
- 2. Bastogne Barracks
- 3. Battle of the Bulge Guided Tours
- 4. 101 Airborne Museum Le Mess - Bastogne
- 5. Bastogne War Museum
- 6. Mardasson Memorial
- 7. Bois de la Paix
- 8. McAuliffe Square
- 9. Bastogne Battle of the Bulge Guided Tours
- 10. Bastogne Ardennes 44 Museum
Top 10 Things to do in Bastogne, Belgium
Bastogne (French pronunciation: [bas.tɔɲ], Dutch: Bastenaken, German: Bastnach or Bastenach, Luxembourgish: Baaschtnech) is a Walloon municipality of Belgium located in the province of Luxembourg in the Ardennes. The municipality of Bastogne includes the old communes of Longvilly, Noville, Villers-la-Bonne-Eau, and Wardin. The town is situated on a ridge in the Ardennes at an elevation of 510 metres (1,670 ft).
Restaurants in Bastogne
1. Reg Jans Battlefield Experience - Day Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 108 reviews
Reviewed By Retired1811 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
What more can anyone say on Trip Advisor about Reg? The reviews speak for themselves. (I still can’t believe one guy only gave Reg a “Very good”) Reg took us on the all-day American Highlights tour around Bastogne and his knowledge and passion is second to none. Since Reg personally knows and has talked to many of the vets who survived the siege of Bastogne, he has a wealth of insight few people have.
Reg has a passion for accuracy and he has studied just about everything that has been written about Bastogne. He has watched every movie including the HBO series “Band of Brothers” and then was able to ask questions of the surviving vets about certain details of the movies and books to verify their accuracy or inaccuracy. One excellent stop on the tour was at the Bastogne Barracks and seeing the room where General McAuliffe gave his famous response when asked by the Germans to surrender which was “nuts”. When the long day tour is complete, you will know a heck of a lot about Bastogne and the heroism displayed and agony endured by the paratroopers there who will forever now be remembered as the “Band of Brothers”.
2. Bastogne Barracks
Overall Ratings
5 based on 523 reviews
01/01 >29/02 : Visit 14.00 Saturday - Sunday 01/03 > 31/03 & 01/10 >31/12 : Visit 14.00 Wednesday >Sunday 01/04 >30/09 : Visit 10.00 & 14.00 Wednesday >Sunday + 20 pers. > by appointment It was inside Bastogne Barracks, built in 1934, that Brigadier General McAuliffe replied ‘Nuts’ when the Germans demanded that he surrender during the Battle of the Bulge. His terse response came to symbolise the resistance of American soldiers when faced with the enemy. This has been a Royal Military Museum site since 2010, where visitors can view a large collection on the theme of the Battle of the Bulge as well as a unique and extensive range of Second World War vehicles.
Reviewed By jefferyp2017 - San Antonio, Texas
A very important place to visit in Bastogne. It is also an active Belgium military facility. There is an awesome vehicle restoration center here as well. A lot of historically restored military tanks, jeeps, etc. from both sides. I believe this Bastogne Barracks Museum can be seen only as an escorted tour.
3. Battle of the Bulge Guided Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 116 reviews
Guided tour on the Battlefield.
Reviewed By SJscrapbooker - San Jose, California
Booking our tour with Roby [--] was easy and he picked us up from our hotel on the morning of our tour. My husband and I wanted to learn more about this important battle and the role that the U.S. Military played in it, but neither of us knew much about it.
Roby has a passion for this historical event and has amassed a huge amount of research and details regarding this time in history. This review is not of his encyclopedic knowledge of the area and battles. It is a personal preference for the type of tour we prefer - we would have liked to have heard more personal stories about participants to help bring this battle to life rather than troop movements and names of military leaders.
Highlights from the tour were a trip into Luxembourg to lay out the reasons why Bastogne was important to the Germans. Visiting the Madassan Memorial which commemorates the thousands of US soldiers who participated in the Battle of the Bulge in 1944/45. Visiting the "Jacques" woods near Foy where foxholes are still found and imagining what it must have been like for the soldiers.
We would have preferred if Roby had not smoked during the tour (although it was always outside of the car) but we are not accustomed to it and you should be aware if you are allergic. He brought us to a gas station with a Sandwich counter for lunch and left us alone to navigate a menu in French that we could not understand and personnel behind the Sandwich counter who didn't understand much English. He told us he had a tour every day for 13 or 14 days without a break, so maybe we didn't get him at his best.
I definitely have a new appreciation of the sacrifices made by all during WWII after visiting the Normandy area last year (highly recommended) and the tour by Roby [--] of the Battle of the Bulge sites. I am grateful for people like Roby who keep the memory of their sacrifices alive for us today.
4. 101 Airborne Museum Le Mess - Bastogne
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 398 reviews
Reviewed By christopherpratt - Bristol, United Kingdom
A very good museum, several displays depict actual photos. Easily spend a couple of hours walking around. Good location only 200m from the town square.
5. Bastogne War Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Voezel - The Hague, The Netherlands
A major piece of WW II history unfolded in this region. Our visit was in Feb when it was cold and snowy. This really put the ordeal of the young soldiers at the time of the Ardennes offensive into perspective! Kids, barely adults, struggling in...MoreDear Voezel, Thank you for this message, we're glad you and your daughters enjoyed the visit. Indeed Feb was cold, yet not as cold as it was in 1944! Thank you for your visit, see you soon.
6. Mardasson Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 647 reviews
Reviewed By jefferyp2017 - San Antonio, Texas
The Mardasson Memorial is a wonderful but somber memorial to those Americans who died in the battle of the bulge. There is a spiral case that takes you go to the top so you view the beautiful scenery that surrounds this monument. Below is a crypt, In the crypt are three altars which represent the Catholic, Protestant and Jewish religion soldiers. Next door is the Bastogne War museum another can't miss stop.
7. Bois de la Paix
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
Reviewed By Paul S - Bournemouth, United Kingdom
On my list of places to visit on our brief visit to Bastogne. I bought a Kindle book called Bastogne Band of Brothers Guide. This was very useful. I used this to find the memorial and then in conjunction with Google Maps walked about 5 minutes to the dugouts.
Looking at the names it felt like I had a connection as I had to come to learn about some of the from Band of Brothers. RIP.
Not sure if this location covers the dugouts but I have added photos anyway.
8. McAuliffe Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By 1montereyman - Monterey, California
McAuliffe Square is in the center of Bastogne. Restaurants ring the perimeter, with a parking lot in the center and the Tourist Information Center standing alone.
A fun vibe, good selection of food and shops, and 3-4 blocks of strolling the main street. Umbrellas hung over the street make a colorful addition.
Parking is tight but can be found on the street or in marked lots.
9. Bastogne Battle of the Bulge Guided Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 23 reviews
I am a retired career artillery officer of the Belgian Army and witness of the Battle of the Bulge, borne in 1936. I do private and customized tours in and around Bastogne and the entire area of the Battle of the Bulge. I also lead groups and battle rides. My expertise is the result of several factors: my own memories and study of the battle, a lonf stay in the area still impregnated with the battle,countless contacts with the veterans and a strong military background.
Reviewed By TNDauksch - Elizabethton, Tennessee
Henri is a great guide who lived as a young child during the battle and lost his father. As a retired Belgium officer he has insight and access which may not be available to all. He made it interesting for my wife who has limited knowledge of the battle and its impact. Well worth the money.
10. Bastogne Ardennes 44 Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By discoveryv8 - England
Just off the main square of Bastogne & around the corner form the Best Western hotel (recommended). It looks like a school house fro the outside but it is packed with information & original relics from the battle. Stop & read the letters, it gives you an inkling as to what it was really like.
If your in Bastogne, you must come here, put your hand in your pocket & donate or buy something, places like this HAVE to remain to inform the future youth.
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