Musée communal de Waterloo
Local history museum on the first floor of Waterloo Tourisme: from prehistory to the present day, Victor Hugo and the office of Léopold III.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Musée communal de Waterloo is located on the first floor of the Waterloo Tourisme building, Chaussée de Bruxelles. It tells the story of the town from prehistory to the 21st century and shows that Waterloo is much more than a famous battlefield.
The village is first mentioned in 1145, in a clearing in the Forest of Soignes, on the chemin des Wallons, which linked Brussels with the south of the country. From the 17th century it was renowned for the quality of its paviors. The battle of 18 June 1815 then made the name of Waterloo known around the world, and Victor Hugo completed the writing of “Les Misérables” here in 1861.
The route presents pieces from the Palaeolithic, old documents, original documents linked to Victor Hugo and the office of Léopold III, which came from the Château d'Argenteuil, was given to the town by the royal family and has been faithfully reconstructed. Part of the museum is currently closed while a new exhibition is being prepared; one room and the office of Léopold III remain open.
Highlights
- History of Waterloo from prehistory to the 21st century
- Reconstructed office of Léopold III, from the Château d'Argenteuil
- Original documents linked to Victor Hugo
- Free admission
Permanent exhibition
- Histoire de Waterloo de la préhistoire au XXIe siècle – Palaeolithic pieces, old documents, original documents linked to Victor Hugo and the reconstructed office of Léopold III; part of the route is temporarily closed.
- Operated by
- Commune de Waterloo (Waterloo Tourisme)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission always free, including the temporary exhibitions held in the same premises.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is on the first floor of the building, with no lift; according to the FAQ of Waterloo Tourisme, it is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Waterloo, Église
Train: Waterloo station is about 1 km from the centre and Waterloo Tourisme, roughly a 15-minute walk. TEC bus: line W (Brussels-Midi – Braine-l'Alleud station) and line 365 (Brussels-Midi – Charleroi-Jumet), stop “Waterloo, Église” (about 50 minutes from Brussels-Midi).
By car
Free parking
Waterloo has eight free municipal car parks; many areas are blue zones, requiring a parking disc (available at Waterloo Tourisme): 30 minutes in the main street of the centre, generally 2 hours elsewhere.
The museum is in the Waterloo Tourisme building, Chaussée de Bruxelles 218.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
