Imagine stepping through the threshold of an imposing building dating back to 1938, once the officers' mess of the 2nd Ardennes Chasseurs Regiment. You are now in the heart of Bastogne, ready to explore the 101st Airborne Museum, a place where history comes to life and where emotions overwhelm you at every step.
From the moment you enter, you are transported back in time, to the heart of the terrible Battle of the Bulge. The museum doesn't just tell the story, it makes you live it. Forget long written descriptions, here, it's your heart that will speak.
As you make your way through, you find yourself faced with scenes of shocking realism. The frozen faces of soldiers and civilians silently tell their stories, while the ambient sound envelops you, creating a palpable tension within you. Each step plunges you deeper into the brutal reality of war.
You feel the distress of separated families, the overwhelming sadness in the face of human losses, the constant stress of imminent bombings. The fatigue of the soldiers, visible in their eyes, almost becomes your own. These strong emotions, skillfully orchestrated by the museum's staging, create a visceral connection with the events of the past.
Every corner of the museum pays tribute not only to the soldiers but also to the citizens, often forgotten victims of this battle. An impressive collection of period objects punctuates your journey, silent witnesses to these dark hours.
But the experience doesn't stop there. Just when you think you've seen it all, the museum has one last surprise in store for you. You find yourself in the shoes of a refugee, hidden in a cellar. The walls shake, the deafening sound of bombs envelops you. It's Christmas Eve 1944, and the city of Bastogne is undergoing a violent German bombardment. This immersive experience, as intense as it is moving, makes you understand, better than any book could, the brutal reality experienced by civilians.
Visit options
1/ Self-guided museum tour
2/ Personalized briefing + self-guided museum tour
- Explanations of the situation, the offensive, the preparations
- Question and answer session
- Self-guided museum tour
3/ Complete experience (Personalized briefing + guided museum tour + Battle tour)
- Personalized briefing
- Guided museum tour
- "Battle tour" on the Bastogne battlefield. Take your car, follow the guide, and discover strategic locations of the battle
Ardennes-étape Privilege
Ardennes-étape customers receive an exclusive benefit with this experience! When you book a holiday home on our website, you have access to the Ardennes-étape Privilege programme that offers many lovely surprises, reductions, gifts, … with our local partners! Log in to your customer area to see your benefit.
Practical information
- Self-guided visit without reservation required
- Visits with briefing or Battle tour: reservation by email ideally 3 weeks in advance
Self-guided visit:
- Adults: 14 euros
- Children 7 to 12 years old: 7 euros
- Children under 7 years old: free
Visit with briefing and/or Battle tour: price on request
CLOSED on Mondays from April to September.
CLOSED on Mondays AND Tuesdays: October to March.
Explore the surroundings
