Bastogne - A Walk full of Memories

Bastogne is forever linked with destiny as it marks the place where the Allies blocked the German offensive there during the terrible winter of 1944.

Though steeped in historical battle history with its battle footprint still very much present the region is also charming for other reasons. From the Mardasson Monument, where the names of the American soldiers who died in battle are engraved, who would imagine that terrible fighting took place in the surrounding villages such as Neffe and Bizory. The emotional atmosphere continues when you venture into the “Peace Wood”, a magnificent landscaped work dedicated to peace. The 4,000 trees that make it up were planted on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. The 3 groves are lined with bolts, sorbiers, oaks and beech trees, are a poignant tribute to veterans and all civilian casualties. Further on, as the countryside opens out, to join the edge of “Bois Jacques”, you can imagine where the soldiers of an American company managed to hold their position in freezing temperatures of -28 degrees. The landscape of the region is marked in war history whilst Bastogne has become the city of universal brotherhood in terms of war commemoration.