Memorial Bataille de Waterloo 1815

Waterloo is more than the ABBA song. It’s a real place too! Emperor Napoleon was actually defeated in the war right here.

The battle of Waterloo was fought between the Netherlands and France in 1815. The victory of the Netherlands led to the end of Napoleon’s reign and the French dominance of Europe. Today, visitors from around the world can visit the battlegrounds and learn all about the epic defeat of Napoleon and the victory of the Dutch.

A great way to observe the battleground is from the Lion’s Head. The Lion’s Head is an artificially-made hill at the battle memorial of Waterloo. It was commissioned by King William I of the Netherlands in 1820. It commemorates the location of the battle of Waterloo, where King William II was knocked off of his horse by a musket.

There’s plenty to do and see at the battle memorial of Waterloo:

• The memorial museum hosts a range of artefacts, 3D animations, and clips to give guests a glimpse into the history of the battle.
• The panorama is a large painting that commemorates the battle and is 110 metres long and 12 high.
• The Lion’s head is a 226-step hill that shows-off an exceptional surrounding view.
• The Hougoumont farm is a multimedia film that offers a recount of what took place in Waterloo using real-life stories and illustrations.

Additionally, visitors who are interested in learning more about the battle and the history surrounding it can also visit the Wellington museum and Napoleon’s Last Headquarters.