101st Airborne museum Le Mess Bastogne
The 101st airborne museum Le Mess in Bastogne is one of our favorite museums.
The visit starts directly when you walk into the street where this museum is situated: It is located in the beautiful building of the former officers mess of the Belgian Army, wich was built in 1936. The building has along war history:
“This prestigious building was used by the German army as “Unteroffiziersheim” during the occupation of Bastogne in WWII. After the war it was used as a hospital by the Red Cross. This unique building with its rich history is the perfect place to gather and display the military history of the 101st Airborne Division and units involved in the Battle of Bastogne in December 1944 – January 1945.”
The museum has three floors. What makes this museum so neat, is that the owners (Hans and Mieke van Kessel) left many old elements of the house intact. All floors contain a lot of very nice (glass) displays, especially dedicated to the 101st Airborne Division. Uniforms, weaponery, but also a lot of personnel gear of soldiers who fought in this area.
Don’t forget to visit the bombshelter and the medic post!
You can find the museum here:
Museum 101ste Airborne Le Mess
Avenue de la Gare 11
6600 Bastogne – Belgium
0032 (0) 61 50 12 00
Website: www.101airbornemuseumbastogne.com
Opening hours:
From 1st October till 31 March
Closed on Monday and Tuesday
Wednesday till Sunday : 10h00 – 17h00
During Christmas holidays closed only on monday!
!! from 02 january till 03 february , open only on week-ends!!
From 1st April till 31 september
Closed on Monday
Tuesday till Sunday : 10h00 -17h00