Bastogne - Bastenaken

Bastogne (French: Bastogne) is a municipality and city in the province Luxembourg in the Belgian Ardennes. The city is best known for the Ardennes Offensive (1944-1945) during the Second World War. The museums about the Battle of the Bulge and the Memorial du Mardasson are tourist attractions. The city is particularly popular among American and Canadian (war) tourists.

Info

Orientation

Bastenasken consists of four areas:

• Bastogne Center. The center of Bastogne is located along the Rue de Sablon, that of the Place General McAuliffe (the main market square) to the Musee and Piconrue and the Porte de Treves Trierpoort) is running. The old town was destroyed during the Battle of the Bulge; only the Porte de Treves and the Eglise Saint-Pierre survived the fighting. On the Place General McAuliffe stands the famous American M4 Sherman tank, the symbol of the city.
• Bastogne-outdoors. In the outskirts of Bastogne are the most important war monuments and museums. To the Rue de Clervaux is it Memorial du Mardasson in memory of the wounded and fallen American soldiers during the Battle of the Bulge. Opposite the monument is the Bastogne War Museum, a war museum about the Battle of the Bulge (closed until 2014 due to renovations). In the vicinity is the old Bastogne-Gouvy railway, which has been converted into a cycle path that lends itself well to cycling due to the gentle slopes.
• Noville. In the borough of Noville, next to Noville are the villages and hamlets of Cobru, Fagnoux, Foy, Hardigny, Luzery, Rachamps, Recogne, Vaux and Wicourt. The rolling landscape is characterized by extensive meadows with coniferous forests on the hilltops. In addition, here is the Laboratoire d'Ecologie des Prairies from the University of Liège (UCL). Less beautiful is the E25 highway, which is often visible.
• Rural Bastogne. In the district of Wardin, next to Wardin, are the villages and hamlets of Benonchamps, Bras, Harzy, Mageret, Marenwez, Marvie and Mont et Neffe. In the borough of Longvilly, next to Longvilly are the villages and hamlets of Al-Hez, Arloncourt, Bourcy, Horritine, Michamps, Moinet and Oubourcy. In the borough of Villers-la-Bonne-Eau, next to Villers-la-Bonne-Eau are the villages and hamlets of Livarchamps, Losange, Lutrebois, Lutremange and Remoifosse. Together they form rural Bastogne, which is largely on the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg borders.

Arrive

By public transport

Until 1993, Bastogne had a rail connection with Libramont and Bertrix. In 1993, the service was replaced by TEC and SNCB/NMBS buses, which still operate at the former stations. Bastogne-Sud (Place de la Gare, Bastogne 6600) and Bastogne-Nord (Rue de la Roche, Bastogne 6600). Bus line 163b of the TEC connects Bastogne every half hour (sometimes an hourly service, see TEC Horaires) and also stops in the intermediate villages. Bus line 6413 of the SNCB/NMBS runs every hour directly between Libramont and Bastogne and has a good connection with the intercity to Brussels/Luxembourg from the station of Libramont (Place de la Gare 1, Libramont-Chevigny 6800). The intercity runs an hourly service every day between Brussels-South and Luxembourg-City. In addition, a train leaves every hour to Bertrix.

By car

Bastogne is located on the highway E25 / A26 (shutter-Arlon) with four turns: turn 52 Wicourt/Noville, exit 53 Clervaux/Bastogne-North, exit 54 (junction with N4) Bastogne, exit 55 Sibret/Bastogne-South. The N4 (Namur (city)-Arlon) crosses the E25 at exit 54. The N84 branches off the N4 and passes through the center of Bastogne (Route de Wiltz) and goes to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and shopping center Pommerloch.

From Utrecht it is best to drive down the E25 / A2 to Liège. At the Cheratte junction, keep on the A25 towards Liège, which becomes the well-known quays (N90). During rush hour it is better to take the ring road (E25 / E40 / E42). At the Loncin junction, follow the E25 towards Luxembourg. Take exit 53 Bastogne-North for the center of Bastogne.

From Brussels it is best to drive the E411/A4 until exit 18 Marche, from where you follow the N4 to Bastogne. Take the exit from the N84 (shortly after the junction with the E25) for the center of Bastogne.

Travel around

RAVeL L163 Bastogne-Gouvy, start trajectory: Rue de la Roche. The old railway line 163 (Libramont-Gouvy) has been converted into a cycle path (RAVel) between Bastogne and Gouvy. The cycle path follows the old route and therefore has very gentle slopes (only a few percent increase or decrease), making it easy for untrained cyclists. In addition, there are only a few level crossings.

To look at

• M4 Sherman Tank, Place Général McAuliffe, Bastogne 6600 (central market square); always open: free to visit. The US M4 Sherman tank in the central market square, named after US Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe. It is a remnant of the American counter-attack against Hitler's Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944 and 1945. The M4 Sherman was one of the main Allied weapons during the Battle of the Bulge.

• Memorial du Mardasson, Rue de Clervaux, Bastogne 6600; always open: free to visit. The Mémorial du Mardasson is the American memorial in memory of 76,890 American soldiers who were wounded or killed during the Battle of the Bulge. The monument, designed by Georges Dedoyard and opened on July 16, 1950, is a pentagram consisting of five columns supporting the semi-open roof. In the center is a circular atrium. The names of the then 48 American States are engraved on the outer wall.

• Bastogne War Museum (formerly Bastogne Historical Center), 6600 rue de Clervaux, Bastogne (opposite Memorial du Mardasson), [1], tel: 32 25 49 60 49; Mon > Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat > Sun and holidays 10:00-18:30; entrance € 12. The Bastogne War Museum is the most important war museum in Bastogne and is mainly about the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of Bastogne. The museum sheds light on the life of a soldier: weapons, clothing and fighting. In addition, there are changing exhibitions and exhibitions. The Bastogne War Museum is closed until 2014 due to major renovations.

• Eglise Saint-Pierre, Place Saint Pierre, Bastogne 6600; The original Église Saint-Pierre dates back to the 11th century AD and was built in a Romanesque style. During a renovation and extension in the 16th century, Gothic elements were also added, so the hall was rebuilt in Gothic style. The church was heavily damaged during the Battle of the Bulge, but has since been renovated. Free daily access; respect the times of the masses.

• Musee and Piconrue, Place and Piconrue 2, Bastogne 6600, [2], tel 32 61 21 56 14, email: [email protected]; Tues > Sun 10:00-18:00 (last tickets at 17:00), closed on Mondays. Admission €4. Musée en Piconrue deals with Catholicism, regional superstitions and Ardennes legends. The museum exhibits religious artifacts such as statues of the Virgin Mary, Jesus crosses and religious paintings. The archive (can be visited by appointment) contains an extensive collection of liturgical books.

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  Place General McAuliffe

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  M4 Sherman tank (front view)

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  M4 Sherman tank (side view)

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  Memorial du Mardasson

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  Top view Memorial du Mardasson

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  Atrium of Memorial du Mardasson

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  Bastogne Historical Center

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  M10 Wolverine at Bastogne Historical Center

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  Eglise Saint-Pierre

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  Porte de Treves

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  Panorama on Bastogne

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  Panorama at Bénonchamps

To do

Holidays

• Memorial Day|Memorial Day (the last Monday in May) is an American holiday that commemorates the fallen American soldiers. The day is celebrated extensively in Bastogne (especially by the many American tourists), with a special memorial service and wreath laying at the Memorial du Mardasson, with the presence of US military officers. Please note that you reserve your accommodation and the like in good time because of the large number of visitors.

• Foire aux Noix, annually in December, see this calendar. The Foire aux Noix is ​​a local tradition of about 150 years and is organized annually in December. The street party, contrary to the prevailing thought, has nothing to do with the famous answer «Nuts» («Noix» in French) of Brigadier General McAuliffe during the Ardenne Offensive. Originally, the party was an opportunity to offer houses and rooms for rent. Nowadays there are several festivities including a parade of floats that throw nuts at the bystanders. Please note that you reserve your accommodation and the like in time because of the large number of visitors.

To buy

Rue du Sablon (N30), Bastogne 6600; In the main shopping street are all daily amenities and facilities as well as tourist souvenir shops, butcher shops and restaurants. Free parking is possible (but it is often very busy) on both sides of the Rue du Sablon in front of the shops. Please note that the prices in most (tourist) shops are higher than average.

Pommerloch (Knauf Shopping Center), Route de Bastogne, Pommerloch L-9638. Just over the Luxembourg border, 12.5 kilometers from Bastogne, is the huge Pommerloch shopping center on both sides of the Luxembourg N15. The more than 60 retail chains are completely focused on the Belgian customer: because of the low Luxembourg taxes, you can shop cheaply and especially refuel (the prices are about 10-15 cents per liter lower). Alcoholic drinks and tobacco are about 25% cheaper than in Belgium. Parking is free.

Food

Due to the large number of visitors, there are plenty of restaurants and other dining options in Bastogne. Most are on and around the Place General McAuliffe, the central market square. These restaurants are completely tourist-oriented and often offer poor quality food at a much too high price.

• L'Adresse, Marvie 86, Marvie 6600; [3], Tel: 32 61 68 86 81 - by reservation only; wed > sun lunch: 12:00-14:00 dinner: 19:00-21:30; Monday and Tuesday closed; high price. Restaurant L'Adresse is located 4 kilometers from the center of Bastogne. This design restaurant serves modern French cuisine and is often associated with nouvelle cuisine.

• Le Grill, Place McAuliffe 21, Bastogne 6600; Phone: 32 61 21 49 07; Wed > Mon open noon until late, closed Tuesday; fair price. Le Grill on the central market square serves French farmhouse cuisine and Ardennes specialities. During the day you can also have a drink.

• Jan Thai, 1C rue de Wiltz, Bastogne 6600; [4], Tel: 32 61 31 46 26, Mail: [email protected]; Wed > Fri and Sun from 12:00, Monday and Saturday from 18:00, closed on Tuesdays; fair price. Jan Thai is one of the few Thai restaurants in the Ardennes. Jan Thai serves authentic Thai cuisine as well as Western (French) dishes. The dishes can also be taken away.

stay overnight

• Hotel Collina ****, Place Général McAuliffe 8/9, Bastogne 6600; [5], Tel: 32 61 21 43 58, Mail: [email protected]; Hotel Collin is located on the main market square in the center of Bastogne, in close proximity to the main attractions. The decor is classic and antique. The rooms are equipped with private bathroom, TV, telephone and mini-bar. €92

• Best Western Hotel Melba ***, Avenue Mathieu 49-51, Bastogne 6600; [6], Tel: 32 61 21 77 78. Located in the center of Bastogne, Hotel Melba offers rooms with private bathroom, TV and telephone and free breakfast. The staff speaks Dutch. €72

• Bed & Breakfast Pommerloch ***, Bärelerstrooss 2, Pommerloch L-9638; [7], tel 352 269 51 51, email [email protected] . Hotel Pommerloch is located 13 kilometers from Bastogne at the Pommerloch shopping center (see to buy). The rooms have a private bathroom, TV and telephone. € 65

Contact

Royal Syndicat d'Initiative (Tourist Office), Place Général McAuliffe 60, Bastogne 6600; [8], Tel: 32 61 21 27 11; June 15 > September 14 every day 9:00-12:30 13:00-18:00; September 15 > June 14 every day 9:00-12:30 13:00-17:30.

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Cities and towns in the Ardennes
Bastogne · Bertrix · Broth · Clervaux · Diekirch · Durbuy · Esch-sur-Sûre · Ettelbruck · fumay · Gedinne · Givet · hotton · Houffalize · La Roche-en-Ardenne · Libramont-Chevigny · Malmedy · Marche-en-Famenne · Neufchâteau · Revin · Saint-Hubert · St Vith · Spa · Stavelot · Verviers · Vianden · Wiltz