Waterloo Renovation Plans

Napoleonic Newsdesk

by Paul Chamberlain

Thanks to Graeme Cooper FINS, for this Waterloo information.--PC

Minister of Tourism in Wallonia, Serge Kubla, has announced plans for renovation of the central part of the Battlefield. From the ‘Bulletin’, November 21, 2002 as below:

“Serge Kubla, nominal burgomaster of Waterloo and Walloon economy minister, wants to transform the Waterloo battlefield from a tatty tourist trap into a world-class historical site. He hopes to boost visitor numbers from the current 300,000 to half a million a year.

“Kubla has already invested 5 million Euros of the Region’s funds in buying up the dingy businesses that cluster around the foot of the Lion Mound and intends to spend a further 15 million Euros on redesigning the site. The aim is to revitalise the moribund area around the Mound using hi-tech special effects and actors dressed in period military dress.

“Kubla is now looking for a private operator to come up with a plan for an upscale attraction, similar to the acclaimed Civil War battlefield sites in the United States or the hugely popular Puy du Fou historical site in France’s Vendée. Any proposal would have to be vetted by a committee of veteran Waterloo historians. The final plan is due to be approved before the next local elections, in June 2004, with actual work completed in time for the 200th anniversary of the battle in 2015.”

For Sale

Mont St Jean Farm, Hougoumont and La Belle Alliance are all for sale as of February, 2003.

Re-enactment Plancenoit 21-22 June

There will be a re-enactment in Plancenoit again this year – details to be announced.

Monsieur Brassin

It is with regret that we learn of the death Monsieur Brassin whose family own Le Bivouac de L’Empereur at Mont St Jean. Many will remember him for his smile and warm greeting and active support of re-enactors, guests and friends alike. Our condolences go to Madam Brassin and her family.

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