Bastogne War Museum - Anyone been yet?

[JH]

I am currently looking to sort out a weekend trip in September and whilst having a search around on the net I came across this apparently new museum, which I don't remember being mentioned on here before ........

http://www.bastognewarmuseum.be/home.html

So, has anyone visited it yet? If so what did you think? Any worthy B&B type places within striking distance worth recommending? I am always up to stay at new places, especially if it has been recommended. I do know of a couple of good hotels in the area but on this trip I would like to keep the costs down, so B&B preferred if possible.

I am looking to head off there as the roads in that part of the Ardennes are good (had another cracking day riding through there in June, en route home from the Czech Republic) and it is a good a spot as any to head to and the museum looks very good for a visit.

 

[sven]

The building was complete when I visited the memorial in May 2013, but it was still empty. I'd like to make the effort to visit next time I'm heading down that way.

I called in at the Overloon War Museum in the Netherlands this year on the way to the Alps and thats not a bad museum to spend an hour or two in

 

[sagalout]

Ah that's annoying! I was only there last month and didn't realise they had changed it. I went to the older one a few years ago which looks like it was in the same location, so this time went to the 101st Museum which is in the town centre (that was also very good)

 

[JH]

Ah that's annoying! I was only there last month and didn't realise they had changed it. I went to the older one a few years ago which looks like it was in the same location, so this time went to the 101st Museum which is in the town centre (that was also very good)

Thanks I might nip in there as well. Any decent places to stay nearby that you would recommend?

 

[sidestand]

Might visit that this weekend - am over at Amberloup - which is just down the road from Bastogne - with the Belgian Airheads - their annual camping weekend
Setting of on Thursday & spending a night in Ypres - taking my boy to see/hear the last post sounded at the Menin Gate - then off to Amberloup for a weekend of beer & BBQ's

 

[sagalout]

Thanks I might nip in there as well. Any decent places to stay nearby that you would recommend?

We stopped here in Esch Sur Sure, about 20kk away from memory. Didn't realise when we booked it that it was part of the motorbike hotels until we arrived (just found it on booking.com). Lovely little village and great food too.

http://www.motor-bike-hotels.co.uk/...bourg-hotels-motorcycle-hotel-de-la-sure.html

If you're interested in Bastogne you should try and see the press re fox holes too, about 5km out of town.

 

[Motormed]

Strangely enough, JH, I've just been looking at this museum too for a possible visit next month.
We'll be on the way back to catch the ferry at Zeebrugge.
It seems to be getting some good reviews.

 

[JH]

Strangely enough, JH, I've just been looking at this museum too for a possible visit next month.
We'll be on the way back to catch the ferry at Zeebrugge.
It seems to be getting some good reviews.

Yes - reviews do appear to be good and the website is quite comprehensive. It is a goer for me, I have just started on some routes there and back and around the area. If you visit there before me put up a review please let me know your thoughts....

 

[Sunny Jim]

Was in the area 2 weeks ago and called in at the museum - didn't get beyond the front door as they were asking more euro's than we were prepared to pay. What we did was visit the fox-holes on the road to Foy where there's a new monument and then tried to get into Bastogne Barracks where there's a cracking little museum - entry is free but there are strict time slots...

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place...0x0000000000000000:0x4df1d204614bb910!6m1!1e1

There's also a German cemetery at the Foy crossroads which is worthy of a visit.

 

[Wapping]

Was in the area 2 weeks ago and called in at the museum - didn't get beyond the front door as they were asking more euro's than we were prepared to pay. .

Those that the museum commemorates were prepared to pay considerably more, thankfully.





What is it EUR 12? Thank feck the cemeteries are free.

 

[Sunny Jim]

Really??? My choice Wapping and you really don't have to lecture me on what sacrifices were made and by whom.

I have 2 family members in those 'free' cemeteries and I give plenty of time and money to fund-raising through the year.

I've paid plenty to get in many of the WW1 &WW2 museums over the years and didn't want to pay to see it all again - my choice!

Was my posting of any value other than monetary?

 

[Wapping]

Then maybe you should try expressing your reluctance to pay a modest sum a bit better - or maybe not mention it all, with less empahsis on the free museums elsewhere.

As to the rest? Of value. Thank you.

 

[Sunny Jim]

Enough said on the matter then. Let the thread get back on track.

 

[JH]

Just an update...............

I have decided to go for it. A short break over a long weekend at the end of September and will be calling in at the museum (and the fox holes + others ).

I have booked the Hotel Giorgi in Bastogne and am planing routes now. First day there already about done. On the second day we are going to have ride across and through the Ardennes Forest, cross back into France to stop at Saint Quentin. It seems to be popular on here and will be staying at the Hotel Florence as recommended by many on here

I will be looking to work out routes back to Calais from there, maybe via Lens or Béthune, for a mid way stop, and perhaps a visit at some site or other. I will start on those routes soon - unless some kind soul on here has some sorted already and would like to share or recommend - as I can see it features often on away days and the like as a point of return to Calais.

Anyhow, I will report on the new museum upon my return.

 

[10tenmen]

War museum

We went across in July from Hull to Zeebrugge then onto Luxembourg, Germany Baden-Baden the B500, then up to Cochem, visited the Nurburgring then Spa we stayed overnight in Belgium and visited the Bastogne war museum on the last day. We were a group of 10 and upon entering we were given ear phones and a pack that operated on sensors so when you got to each part you were given a commentary on the exhibit, I can say it was brilliant but you need a good 4 hours and the outside memorial is incredible. Well worth the time and cost.

 

[JH]

We went across in July from Hull to Zeebrugge then onto Luxembourg, Germany Baden-Baden the B500, then up to Cochem, visited the Nurburgring then Spa we stayed overnight in Belgium and visited the Bastogne war museum on the last day. We were a group of 10 and upon entering we were given ear phones and a pack that operated on sensors so when you got to each part you were given a commentary on the exhibit, I can say it was brilliant but you need a good 4 hours and the outside memorial is incredible. Well worth the time and cost.

Thank you for that

 

[Monty]

Just an update...............

I have decided to go for it. A short break over a long weekend at the end of September and will be calling in at the museum (and the fox holes + others ).

I have booked the Hotel Giorgi in Bastogne and am planing routes now. First day there already about done. On the second day we are going to have ride across and through the Ardennes Forest, cross back into France to stop at Saint Quentin. It seems to be popular on here and will be staying at the Hotel Florence as recommended by many on here

I will be looking to work out routes back to Calais from there, maybe via Lens or Béthune, for a mid way stop, and perhaps a visit at some site or other. I will start on those routes soon - unless some kind soul on here has some sorted already and would like to share or recommend - as I can see it features often on away days and the like as a point of return to Calais.

Anyhow, I will report on the new museum upon my return.

We really liked the Hotel Giorgi. They had good parking for the bike too.

If it is not too out of the way, I can highly recommend the Grand Place in Tournai for a coffee stop. great motorcycle parking area, cheap coffee at Le Central and a couple of good options for takeaway sandwiches right there too. Buy a coffee at the cafe and eat your own sandwich. It's what the locals do.

Have a great trip.

Matt



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[10tenmen]

We stayed here very cheap and only 20 miles from the museum, the food was fantastic and whilst it was the cheapest hotel/hostel it was the most fun with secure garage facilities and a nice outside area to eat with a good bar.
Hotel Baton Rouge
21 rue de la Grotte
6690 Vielsalm
Belgium
www.benhet.be