Municipality in the province of Luxembourg.
Population: 16,600
Specialities: Bastogne pale ale (beer from the Brasserie de Bastogne), baisers of Bastogne (pastries), bison meat, cured meats.
Personalities: Mathilde of Belgium (went to primary school in Bastogne), Maxime Monfort (cycling), Michel Renquin, Thomas Meunier (football) Culture: Walnut Fair (December), Bastogne Laughter Festival.
Sport: Royal Leopold Club Bastogne (football).
Events : Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Economy: forestry, commerce. The town has two business parks. The first is home to 37 companies (Abattoir et Marché de Bastogne, Enrobage Stockem, Entreprises Touchèque, Lambert Frères, Serviplast, T.V.B, Grandjean, Bati C, Poulet et Gibier d'Ardenne, Pulviver, GNB Béton, etc.). The second, in the city centre, is home to 17 companies (Saint-Gobain Autover, Nadin Logistics, Ice Watch, BNP Paribas Fortis, Agrifer, AZ Partners, Visibly, etc.).
Websites and social networks: www.bastogne.be, www.paysdebastogne.be,
THE SIEGE OF BASTOGNE
The Siege of Bastogne was a battle that pitted American troops against German troops in December 1944. It was part of the Battle of the Bulge, the final German counterattack on the Western Front. The aim of this counter-offensive was to reach the port of Antwerp and cut the front before the Allies had time to assemble and commit their air force. The Germans therefore had to seize the roads to eastern Belgium, where Bastogne occupied a strategic position: seven main roads through the densely wooded Ardennes hills converged there. The siege lasted from 20 to 27 December, until the encircled American troops were rescued by American reinforcements.
BASTOGNE AND CYCLING
Bastogne is inextricably linked to Liège as the hub of the Doyenne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, but it also has its own cycling history. It has already hosted the men's Tour de France in 1976, with the start of a stage won solo in Nancy by Italy's Aldo Parecchini, who rode on his own for 170km. The town was also the starting point for the Flèche Wallonne in 2014, when Alejandro Valverde won for the second time. Bastogne is also the birthplace of Maxime Monfort, who has taken part in the Tour de France on seven occasions, with a best finish of 14th in 2013. The Walloon rider also finished 6th in the Vuelta in 2011 and 11th in the Giro in 2015. He then became sports director at Lotto and then at Lidl-Trek.
SIGHTS
Founded: 1950
Architect: Georges Dedoyard.
History: inaugurated in 1950, it bears witness to the Belgian people's gratitude to the American soldiers who, during the winter of 1944-1945, gave their lives in the Battle of the Bulge to counter the last German offensive of the Second World War.
Characteristics: built to the plans of architect Georges Dedoyard, in the shape of a star, the distinctive sign of the allied troops during the liberation campaign (evoking the American flag), on a natural rise on the banks of the river Wiltz, the monument bears the Latin inscription "populus belgicus memor liberatoribus americanis" (the Belgian people in memory of their American liberators). On the pediment of the monument, both inside and out, are the names of all the member states of the United States of America, including those (Alaska, Hawaii) that joined the union after the war. Visits to the monument are free, and you can climb a spiral staircase to the top of the building.
Special features: next to the monument is a crypt containing altars in three vaulted niches, each decorated with a mosaic by French artist Fernand Léger. Each altar is dedicated to a religion: Catholic, Protestant and Jewish.
Founded: 2014
Characteristics: The Bastogne War Museum is a Second World War museum located next to the Mardasson memorial. This museum is mainly devoted to the Battle of the Bulge. Located on the former site of the Bastogne Historical Centre, it was inaugurated on 21 March 2014 after four years of work. Built in the shape of a five-pointed American star, the building is similar to the Memorial on the same site. It explains the context, causes, events and consequences of the Battle of the Bulge to visitors interactively through three "scenovisions".
Characteristics: This museum, which is free to enter, is run by the Belgian army. It is located on the site of Anthony McAuliffe's former headquarters, in the Heintz barracks. This was used as the headquarters of the American 101st Airborne Division during the siege of Bastogne. The museum covers an area of around 2,350 m2. The Vehicle Restoration Centre is also open to the public, giving visitors the chance to see a vast collection of tanks and armoured vehicles from the Royal Army Museum given a new lease of life. You can also visit the underground barracks and see a range of artefacts from American, German and British troops, as well as artillery, small arms and radio and medical equipment. It was in the basement of this museum that General Anthony McAuliffe is said to have declared "Nuts!" in response to Germany's call to surrender.
Construction: 11th to 16th centuries.
Style: Gothic.
History: a place of worship is mentioned in Bastogne as early as 893. The first church was certainly Romanesque. Remains include the squat, square bell tower – 20-metres high and 11-metres square - with walls two metres thick. However, when it was enlarged in the 16th century, it took on a Gothic appearance. Restructured as a hall church into which the bell tower was integrated, it now appears less massive. The polychrome decoration on the vault dates from 1536. Charles V is said to have visited the church at this time. The church has been restored several times, the last major restoration dating from the years following the Second World War, when it was badly damaged during the Battle of the Bulge.
Listed as: listed heritage site in 1938, exceptional heritage site in 2013.
- Porte de Trèves (Trier Gate)
Construction: 1341 to 1360
History: In 1332, John the Blind, Count of Luxembourg and La Roche, King of Bohemia and Poland, decided to build ramparts around Bastogne, including a dozen defensive towers and two gates. These ramparts were built between 1341 and 13601. Of all these fortifications, Porte de Trèves is the only notable element still standing. In 1688, the ramparts were demolished on the orders of Louis XIV, King of France. Porte de Trèves then became a prison. During the Second World War, and more specifically during the siege of Bastogne in December 1944 and January 1945, bombardments heavily destroyed the gate, which was rebuilt after the war.
Current use: the gateway is now a museum hosting temporary exhibitions.
Listed as: exceptional heritage site in 1938.
TO EAT:
- Baisers (Kisses) from Bastogne
These little pastries, made up of two meringue biscuits with a mocha cream coating, can be found in every bakery in Bastogne, to the delight of gourmets.
