History is the witness of time, the light of truth, the life of memory, the teacher in life, the messenger from antiquity.

(Ciceron, De Oratore)

Our asbl

The ASBL Bastogne Memorial group has as its main objective the promotion of a contemporary historical education covering all aspects of recent conflicts. It is within this frame that it aims to create a sense of enthusiasm for cultural activities and events at the Bastogne Memorial Second World War Centre and act as a host for the activities of the scientific committee.

The work of the ASBL is centred around two different spheres: the structuring of and the promotion of memory-focused tourism. In effect, the institution challenges itself to create synergies between its own site and other sites which are emblematic of the Battle of the Bulge from the museums to the battlefields.

These commitments take shape in the form of regular activities which highlight the existing memorial sites and tourism partners. From these reflections and collaborations, several discussions were born, resulting in activities of different types including film-debates, conferences, expositions, or similar publications since the founding of the ASBL. Thanks to the support of our 8 partner museums, we were able to publish our first work in 2019, in time for the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.

Finally, always within this optic of structuring tourism around memory, guided visits of the battlefields were proposed. These visits are only possible thanks to the field guides who put themselves at the disposition of our organisation so that we can assure guides of quality. The training of guides is also partially handled by the ASBL.

Cultural Heritage

One of the missions attributed to our organisation is the conservation and the strengthening of material collections with the theme of ‘The Second World War’ in the city of Bastogne. These collections are composed of thousands of a variety of objects in relation with both civilian and military history of the Second World War. By extension, these collections contain also some objects relative to other contemporary conflicts and to the memory of these within both individual and collective identity.

A large part of the collections is visible in the display cases of the Bastogne War Museum. The objects which are not on show are inventoried in a register and are classified in the new reserves of the collection at the Bastogne War Museum. The donations received to the collection reserves at the museum are handled by the ASBL, which makes a point of finding the best place in the collection reserves or in a display case at the museum for them when possible.

Patrimoine Bastogne World War 2 Reference Center

For many years, the ASBL has also collected archives and books with a key focus on the history of the Battle of the Bulge. The groups of documents collected offer different rich research perspectives on the history and the memory of the Battle. The received documents have been inputted into a data base and the archives have been recently classified in our new Documentation Centre, situated at the heart of the Bastogne War Museum.

To discover our catalogue, follow the link: https://doc.bastognememorial.be

This catalogue consists only of a summary of the collections which are available in person at the Bastogne War Museum. All consultation can be made by request at the discretion of the ASBL and the pieces must be consulted on site.

objects

works

specialist collections

objects

works

specialist collections

Guided tours

The ASBL Bastogne Memorial group organises guided tours of the battlefield throughout the year and by request. Taking place over half a day or a full day; an expert guide will assist you in discovering emblematic sites of the Battle of the Bulge in area of Bastogne. Discover our different offers below.

Half day offer

During this half-day experience, discover the most famous sites and monuments such as the Mardasson, the Bois Jacques or the German cemetery in Recogne.

More information…

Full day offer

Follow in the footsteps of the 101st Airborne Division and General Patton’s 3rd Army. In addition to discovering the famous sites and monuments in the area, this tour includes the shooting range, the Boggess fort and the location where, in the past, you would have found the field hospital of the 101st Airborne.

More information…

Family offer

Designed for groups of 2 to 8 people, children included, this offer allows you to discover the most famous sites and monuments in the area as a family, with the tour lasting around 2 hours.

More information…

Join Us

Are you generally passionate about history and are you passionate about the Second World War in particular?

Do you enjoy educating others and exchanging information?

Do not hesitate to join us as a battle fields tour guide (for visitors)

After having 3 training sessions, you will be added to our list of guides and we will not forget to give you a call when a tour request arrives

Our Publications

Description

On display in museums or conserved within collections and reserves, objects all have a particular personal history. Beyond the salvaged materials, the interpretation of their small story leads to greater understanding. With the organisation and assistance of the ASBL Bastogne Memorial, the Second World War museums of the Belgian and Luxembourgish Ardennes present to you a selection of some of these silent witnesses and their stories. Unexpected, moving and enlightening our duty of memory

INFORMATION

Available for purchase at partner museums or directly from the asbl Bastogne Memorial.

  • Format: 230 x 160 x 10 mm
  • Number of pages: 104 pages
  • EAN: 9782874895791
  • Price: 19,90 €

Our Partners

The General Tourist Commission, Wallonia

The administration of tourism in Wallonia supports the development of a quality tourism in Wallonia. Additionally, it protects the acknowledgement of tourism as being a key economic sector, promoting the natural, historical and cultural resources which form the identity of Wallonia in an innovative way.

The Bastogne War Museum

Located just next to the Mardasson memorial, the Bastogne War Museum provides an immersive and scientific immersion into the history of the Second World War and, more specifically, into the Battle of the Bulge for all, which heavily marked the region during the winter of 1944-1945.

The King Baudouin Foundation

The United States King Baudouin Foundation enables all donators to financially support a range of museums and organisations in their charitable efforts around the world

The Libaration Road

The European Libération road is a transnational memorial project taking the form of a road which connects between the historical and memorial sites of the Second World War and the histories which are linked with them.