Dernier Quartier Général de Napoléon

About the museum

The Ferme du Caillou, in Vieux-Genappe, is a farm built in 1757. On 17 June 1815, on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo, General Bertrand, the Emperor's aide-de-camp, had Napoleon's headquarters set up there. The Emperor spent the night of 17 to 18 June at the farm, surrounded by his staff and protected by the Imperial Guard camped in the orchard, and it was in the farm's rooms that the plans for the next day's battle were drawn up.

After the defeat the farm was set on fire by the Prussians, then partly rebuilt and turned into a tavern and later a coaching inn. In 1889 the provincial architect Émile Coulon gave it its present appearance and bought back some of the furniture Napoleon had used, which is still on display today. The site then became a place of pilgrimage thanks to the military souvenirs gathered by the historian Lucien Laudy, who also had a small ossuary built in the garden. The farm, its garden and outbuildings were listed as a historic monument in 1951.

The Province of Brabant opened the Caillou museum in 1974; today it is run by the Province of Walloon Brabant. The museum was completely renovated in 2015, for the bicentenary of the battle, with a new display design, a trail for children and adaptations for people with reduced mobility and for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors. Above all it displays objects of the French army, including an example of the Emperor's camp bed, along with testimonies of civilian and military life during the night of 17 to 18 June 1815.

Highlights

• Authentic place where Napoleon slept the night before Waterloo
• Example of the Emperor's camp bed and objects of the French army
• Free playful trail for children, with objects to touch
• Museum adapted for visitors with reduced mobility, who are deaf, hard of hearing or visually impaired
• Pass 1815 combined with the Domaine de Waterloo and the Musée Wellington

Permanent exhibition

• Le Dernier QG de Napoléon – Route through the rooms of the farm on the night of 17 to 18 June 1815, with objects of the French army, including an example of the Emperor's camp bed, and civilian and military testimonies.

Founded

1974

Operated by

Province du Brabant wallon

Admission & discounts

An audio guide is included in the admission price.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The museum is adapted for people with reduced mobility: ramps between the rooms, display cases at accessible heights and angles, adapted toilets, and a level path between the car park and the entrance. The visioguide is available in Belgian French Sign Language (LSFB) with subtitles. A thematic tour for visually impaired visitors combines audio description, tactile materials and touching of objects; there are objects to touch and braille materials in the rooms. Guide dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Free playful trail for young visitors, with objects to touch, games built into the displays and puzzles in the chests. During school holidays and on some Sundays there are animated visits and meetings for families (children from 9 years), storytelling and pyjama parties; outdoor activities from age 3. Picnic tables and the car park are free.

Getting there & parking

By car from the N5 (Brussels–Charleroi axis). The museum is about 4 km from the Butte du Lion at Waterloo.

Amenities & dining

Picnic area with outdoor tables for visitors; bicycle racks.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties: not available
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies: not available

Up to 80 guests.

Two rooms in the small farm (22 to 50 people on the ground floor, 36 to 80 people upstairs) for meetings, training courses, conferences, sports or artistic activities. No private events such as birthdays, weddings or New Year's parties. Caterer of the tenant's choice.

Plan your visit