Mémorial 1815

About the museum

The Mémorial 1815 is the museum of the Domaine of the Battle of Waterloo, at Braine-l'Alleud, in the heart of the battlefield where Napoleon's army and the coalition forces of Wellington and Blücher clashed on 18 June 1815. It was created for the bicentenary of the battle in 2015, at the same time as the renovation of the historic farms of Hougoumont and Mont-Saint-Jean and the restoration of the landscape as it was at the time.

The route combines period objects, uniforms, animated maps and multimedia installations, including a spectacular 4D film, to explain how the battle unfolded and what was at stake in the battle that ended Napoleon's rule. It belongs to a wider memorial site: the Butte du Lion, a monument of 226 steps erected between 1824 and 1826 on the orders of King William I of the Netherlands, offers a view over the whole battlefield; the Panorama, a building from 1912, houses an immense circular painting 110 metres long and 12 metres high; and the Hougoumont farm, the last authentic remnant of the battle, has a small museum and a sound-and-light show.

Since 2019 the management of the Mémorial, the Panorama, the Butte du Lion and the Hougoumont farm has been entrusted to the company Kléber Rossillon. The individual ticket gives access to all parts of the visit. The Domaine also organises seasonal events, such as life in the bivouacs or cannon-firing demonstrations, and each year, on the last weekend of June, hosts a large historical reenactment.

Highlights

• Immersive exhibition with uniforms, animated maps and a 4D film
• Single ticket for the Mémorial, the Panorama, the Butte du Lion and the Hougoumont farm
• Circular panorama, 110 m by 12 m, in a building from 1912
• Climb of the 226 steps of the Butte du Lion
• Bivouac animations and historical reenactment in June

Permanent exhibitions

• Mémorial 1815 – Immersive exhibition on the campaign and the Battle of Waterloo, with period objects, uniforms, animated maps and a 4D film.
• Le Panorama de la bataille – Immense circular painting, 110 metres long and 12 metres high, in a building from 1912, offering a view over the battlefield.

Founded

2015

Operated by

Kléber Rossillon

Admission & discounts

The individual ticket gives access to the Mémorial 1815, the Panorama, the Butte du Lion, the Hougoumont farm, the mapping show “Après la bataille”, the seasonal events and the 1815 shuttle in season. Low-season rates apply from November to March; in high season (April to the end of October, during school holidays, on public holidays and at weekends) the prices are €29 for adults, €27 for students and seniors, and €17 for ages 10 to 17. A reduction of €5 applies without the mapping. Educpass cards are accepted; payment on site in cash, Bancontact, Visa or Mastercard.

Accessibility

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

The Mémorial 1815, the Panorama and the Le Bivouac café-restaurant are accessible. Access to the Butte du Lion, the 1815 shuttle and certain parts of the Hougoumont farm is limited because of historical constraints. Parking spaces for people with reduced mobility are available. Only guide dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly

Interactive screens, a 4D film, historical demonstrations and educational content for children, with quizzes and games throughout the visit. Pushchairs are allowed, but some outdoor and historical areas are less easy to get around.

Getting there & parking

GPS address: Route du Lion 1815, 1420 Braine-l'Alleud. The ticket office of the Mémorial is the entrance to the Domaine.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Café-restaurant Le Bivouac, open every day, with a children's menu; tea room at the Hougoumont farm at weekends, on public holidays and during school holidays. Free luggage lockers at the Mémorial, a souvenir shop, and toilets in several places on the site. Picnicking outdoors is possible.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Spaces for private hire: the Le Bivouac café-restaurant and the historic courtyard of the Hougoumont farm, for seminars, receptions, cocktails, birthdays or bespoke events.

Plan your visit