Travel Tips: Bastogne, Belgium - 75th Commemoration of fallen American soldiers

Bastogne was not a place I expected to enjoy as much as I did and it was pleasant surprise!  Perhaps because we are celebrating the 75th commemoration of the end of the war and countries such as Luxembourg and Belgium are flying American flags all over to celebrate.  Although many festivities were cancelled due to Corona, the place where the fall of the Nazis all began, Bastogne, in the Battle of the Bulge, there is a huge monument which can be visited to commemorate any time of the year.   

 

The city hill has put photos and baskets of flowers, or flower beds in front of the key leaders of each unit, in black and white photography.  It's impressive and quite honestly, all the American flag flying high, I gained more respect for America in one day than I have in the past 4 years!  The  admiration is in a respectful aura everywhere you go around Bastogne, but also in Cervaux in Luxembourg at their tiny village, but big monument thanking the Americans. 

TAKEN FROM ANOTHER ANGLE - INSIDE EACH COLUMN IS THE PHOTO 

The city is small but pretty with a main hilly Street with small churches, nice architectural buildings and the main square at the top of the hill, with the famous Barracuda tank is the focal point with cafes and restaurants galore, with I might add very convenient parking and the tourism info centre.  It is called the Bastogne Place General McAuliffe, after the famous American general , who with few men and little ammunition courageously and magnificently held fort in Bastogne. The won the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 which set the Nazi decline into motion.ALL AT BASTOGNE PLACE GENERAL McAULIFFE -GENERAL McAULIFFE SQUARETHE FAMOUS BARRACUDA TANK AS MONUMENT

                            WALKING AROUND THE CITY

So if driving through the wonderful Ardennes in Belgium anywhere on route somewhere, do stop by at Bastogne.  The war monument is a few kilometres from the main centre and there is a museum which was hosting an outside art exhibition with paintings on huge slags of concrete.  Also nice! The city is cute, prices are reasonable and do try Le Bistro on the main walk, and salute the fallen soldiers with a Café ala Bastogne avec passion a Battice! 

ARTWORK OF TWO RUSSIAN SOLDIERS