List of Waterloo Battlefield locations facts for kids

La Haye Sainte.

A map of the Battle of Waterloo with contours.

The Waterloo Battlefield is a famous historical site. It is located in Belgium, about 15 kilometers (9 miles) south of Brussels. The battlefield stretches across the areas of Braine-l'Alleud, Lasne, and Waterloo. This is where the important Battle of Waterloo took place.

Key Locations on the Battlefield

North of the Main Battle Line

• Sonian Forest

* This large forest is just north of the battlefield. It leads towards Brussels. * Some people, like Napoleon Bonaparte, thought the forest was a bad choice for the army's rear. They worried it would make retreating difficult. * However, others disagree, saying the forest actually helped protect the army.

• Waterloo, Belgium

* Waterloo was a small village during the battle. * Many important officers, including the Duke of Wellington, stayed here before and after the fight. * Wellington wrote his official battle report from an inn in Waterloo. * This inn is now the Wellington Museum.

• Mont-Saint-Jean Farm

* This farm is located behind the main battle line. * Napoleon himself called the battle the "Battle of Mont-Saint-Jean."

Western Side of the Battle Line

• Châteaux Hougoumont

* This was a large farmhouse that British soldiers defended all day long. * It was like a "battle within a battle." * Wellington said that the closing of the gates at Hougoumont was the most important moment of the entire battle. * A special memorial for the British Army stands near its gates.

• Lion's Mound

* This large memorial was built soon after the battle. * You can climb to the top for an amazing view of the whole battlefield.

Center of the Battle Line

• The Waterloo Elm

* This was a famous tree where Wellington set up his command post. He directed much of the battle from here. * After the battle, people took pieces of the tree as souvenirs. This eventually killed the tree. * The wood was later used to make furniture, including a chair for King George IV.

• La Haye Sainte

* This farmhouse was a very important strong point for Wellington's army. * About 400 riflemen from the Kings German Legion bravely defended it. * The French army eventually captured this key location.

Eastern Side of the Battle Line

These four places formed the strong eastern end of the Anglo-allied army's line:

• Papelotte

* This was a farmhouse that was quickly made stronger for defense, similar to La Haye Sainte.

• La Haye, Lasne

* This farmhouse was very close to Papelotte. It was also quickly fortified. * However, its farmyard was not fully enclosed, making it a bit less secure.

• Smohain

* This small village was in a narrow valley. * On the day of the battle, a marshy stream in the valley was swollen from overnight rain.

• Châteaux Frischermont

* This fortified house was similar to Hougoumont. * However, it was not as heavily defended as Hougoumont.

South of the Battle Line

• La Belle Alliance

* This inn was easy to see from Wellington's position. * Napoleon spent time near this inn, watching the battle unfold. * It is also said to be the place where Wellington and the Prussian commander Blucher met after the battle.

• Decoster's House

* Napoleon moved to a small hill near here later in the battle. * From this spot, he watched the final attack of his Imperial Guard.

• Plancenoit

* This village saw very heavy fighting. * French and Prussian soldiers fought fiercely for control of Plancenoit.

• Rossomme

* Napoleon spent the first few hours of the battle observing from heights near Rossomme. * He sat at a table with a map, planning his moves. * The original farmhouse was destroyed by fire in 1895.

• Caillou Museum

* This was Napoleon's headquarters the night before the battle. * Here, he famously told his marshals that "Wellington is a bad general, the English are bad troops, and this affair is nothing more than eating breakfast."

• Chantelet Farm

* Marshal Ney, one of Napoleon's top commanders, stayed at this farm the night before the battle. * It is about half a kilometer (0.3 miles) east of Caillou.

Monuments

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  Napoleon's headquarters on the eve of the Battle (now the Musée du Caillou)

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  Monument to the King's German Legion (left), the Gordon Monument (right) and the Lion mound

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  South Portal of the Goumont or Hougoumont farm

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  Monument to the last fighters of the Grand Army (The Wounded Eagle)

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  The British Waterloo Campaign Memorial at the Brussels Cemetery

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  Waterloo, Napoleon statue erected close to the Bivouac de l'Empereur hostel

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  Victor Hugo column, portrait

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  General Duhesme tomb in the churchyard of Saint Martin Church; Ways ^[nl] Genappe

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  Stele to British 27th (Inniskilling) Regiment of Foot

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  Stele to the French 5th Cuirassiers Regiment

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  Stele to the French 6th Artillery Regiment

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  The 8th Infantry Regiment: In this place 18 June 1815 the 8th Infantry's Durutte Division successfully attacked the German 2nd Legion of Colonel von Ompteda.

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  Stele to French 11th Chasseurs Regiment

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  Stele to French 21st Infantry Regiment

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  Stele to the French Young Guard.

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  Stele to Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton close to where he was killed.

See also

• List of protected heritage sites in Waterloo, Belgium
• List of protected heritage sites in Braine-l'Alleud
• List of protected heritage sites in Lasne
• List of protected heritage sites in Genappe