A Guide to Visiting the Battlefields of Europe

While peaceful now, Europe’s history is marked by dozens of wars and hundreds of battles, taking place all over the continent. Such conflict shaped the continent as it is today, making the sites of great battles major points of interest for tourists and history buffs alike. Some also offer museums, events and more. With this in mind, we’ve put together this guide on Europe’s battlefields.

France

France offers a rich insight into Europe’s tumultuous history. The Battle of Agincourt took place just 40km south of Calais. Dating back to 1415, Agincourt saw the English army led by King Henry V defeat a French force more than four times its size, resulting in a famous victory for England. There’s little to see of the original site these days, but there is an excellent museum, and you can explore Azincourt, the town from which the battle took its name.

The Battle of the Somme took place on Gallic soil in 1916, though the Somme was also the site of intense fighting throughout WWI. The battleground still bears the scars of the warfare of 100 years ago, with bomb craters and trenches serving as a reminder of the region’s violent history. There are also memorials, museums and guided tours from experts.

The Netherlands

If you’re interested in military vehicles, then the site and museums at Overloon in the Netherlands will incredibly informative. Overloon hosted a major tank battle between the British and US forces, and the Nazis in WWI, resulting in significant loss of life as well as countless armoured vehicle wrecks. Overloon is located in the south east of the country but is only a couple hours’ drive from our Dutch port.

Belgium

Waterloo is one of the most famous battles in British history, which saw the Duke of Wellington finally defeat the Emperor Napoleon in 1815, bringing the Napoleonic Era to a close, and cementing the Duke as a military legend. Located in Belgium, the site includes the Lions Mound, which is a large stepped hill, atop which sits a lion sculpture along with panoramic painting. It’s truly a sight to behold, and a must-visit if you’re in the area. Also in Belgium is the site of The Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes region. This WWII battlefield was one of the most recent, and there’s a huge amount to see here.

Germany

Germany too has a range of battlefields for you to visit, most of which are the result of WWII. Hürtgen Forest is the site of the longest, most protracted battle the United States has ever fought; you can visit the forest, and there’s also a memorial museum to the battle here too. This battleground’s setting of a dense forest is atmospheric and sombre.