Holiday in Bastogne: more than war heritage in the Ardennes
Bastogne is known worldwide as the site of the Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944. The Mardasson memorial and the Bastogne War Museum are impressive testaments to that period. But Bastogne is more than a history lesson: it is also a quiet Ardennes town surrounded by extensive forests, hilly walking routes and a culinary tradition proud of its own Bastogne biscuit and local produce.
Bastogne is in Luxembourg Province, 2 hours from Brussels and 1.5 hours from Liège. Holiday homes cost €80 to €160 per night. The Bastogne War Museum and Mardasson memorial are open all year. The area offers excellent walking and mountain biking routes. Autumn is the most beautiful season.
The Mardasson memorial and the Bastogne War Museum
The Mardasson memorial is a five-pointed star in white stone, just outside the centre of Bastogne. It was inaugurated in 1950 in memory of the more than 76,000 American soldiers killed or wounded during the Battle of the Bulge. The view over the surrounding hills is spectacular.
The Bastogne War Museum, next to the memorial, is one of the most impressive war museums in Europe. It tells the story of the battle from four perspectives. The immersive presentation with life-size reconstructions makes a deep impression. Allow at least two hours for a visit.
Walking and cycling in the Ardennes hills
The Bastogne area offers more than war heritage. The forests around the town are extensive, the walking routes well signposted and the silence complete. There are walking routes of five to fifteen kilometres, suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
Mountain bikers will find varied routes on the Ardennes hills. The Bastogne-Liège route, used by the eponymous cycling monument, also runs through the area and offers spectacular views.
What to do in Bastogne and the surrounding area?
- Visit the Bastogne War Museum (2 to 3 hours, impressive for adults and teenagers)
- Walking at the Mardasson memorial and through the Bois Jacques
- Saturday market in Bastogne with local produce and regional cheeses
- Mountain biking on the Ardennes hills around Bastogne
- Day trip to Houffalize: kayaking on the Ourthe and adventure park
- La Roche-en-Ardenne 30 minutes away: castle ruins and Wildlife Park
- Try the Bastogne biscuit at one of the bakeries in the town centre
Holiday homes in Bastogne and the surrounding area
The range of holiday homes in Bastogne is varied. In the town itself you find smaller houses and gîtes within walking distance of the centre and museum. Outside the town there are larger chalets and Ardennes farmhouses for those wanting more privacy and space.
Bastogne lends itself well to a week-long holiday: there is enough to do for several days and the area offers varied scenery for day trips. Houffalize, La Roche-en-Ardenne and Vielsalm are each less than 30 minutes' drive away.
Local gastronomy and the Bastogne biscuit
Bastogne has its own culinary identity. The Bastogne biscuit, a spiced biscuit with brown sugar and cinnamon, is the best-known product. Every baker in town has their own recipe. The Saturday market is a fine opportunity to discover local cheeses, charcuterie and other Ardennes products.
The Saint-Hubert brewery, the Rochefort Trappist and local microbreweries produce beers that pair beautifully with Ardennes cuisine. A visit to one of the farm shops or cheese producers in the Bastogne area gives insight into local production methods.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Mardasson memorial in Bastogne?
The Mardasson memorial is an American commemorative monument in the shape of a five-pointed star, built in honour of the American soldiers who fell in the Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944-1945. It stands just outside the centre of Bastogne and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area. The Bastogne War Museum is right next to it.
Is Bastogne suitable for children?
Yes. The Bastogne War Museum is interactive and impressive for teenagers and older children. Younger children enjoy the forest walks and the trip to the memorial more. Houffalize, twenty minutes away, offers kayaking and an adventure park for younger children.
What is the best season to visit Bastogne?
Autumn is the most beautiful season, when the Ardennes forests turn red and gold. Summer is pleasant for walking and cycling. Winter has a special resonance: the Battle of the Bulge took place in the winter of 1944, and December commemorations draw visitors from across Europe.
How far is Bastogne from Brussels and Liège?
Bastogne is 155 kilometres from Brussels, a drive of 1 hour 50 minutes via the E411. From Liège it is 80 kilometres, about 1 hour. La Roche-en-Ardenne is only 30 minutes' drive. Houffalize is 20 minutes away.