Plopsaland Ardennes
Coo (Stavelot)
4.70 Km 00:05
December 44 Museum
An experience to enjoy for those who want to understand the Battle of the Ardennes in depth, discover an authentic site of remembrance and take the time to remember, in a restrained and deeply respectful setting.
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Information
December 44 Museum, understanding a decisive turning point of the Battle of the Bulge
The December 44 Museum is a place that invites quiet attention and respect. Here, history is not reduced to dates or military maps — it is told through objects, faces, stories and moments of silence. The museum presents a chronological and thematic journey dedicated to a key moment of the Second World War, often less known to the wider public. While the Americans won the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne, many historians consider that the German forces truly lost it in La Gleize.
From the moment you enter, the tone is clear: this is a place of remembrance, profoundly human, where every object carries strong historical and emotional weight.
A unique collection to experience history differently
The December 44 Museum houses an exceptional collection, unique in the world, dedicated to the Ardennes Offensive and particularly to the breakthrough of the Kampfgruppe Peiper. The objects on display are not simply museum pieces — they tell fragments of life, moments of battle, difficult choices and broken destinies.
Many visitors express their reaction with emotion: What an extraordinary collection. The way the objects are presented brings them back to life, helping visitors understand the daily life of soldiers, the extreme conditions of the fighting and the violence of the confrontation between German and American elite troops.
A plunge into the battles of December 1944
The experience is reinforced by a powerful film that recounts the German breakthrough using archival footage filmed during the battles. The sounds of combat, historical images and immersive editing place visitors in the intensity of those decisive days. It is not meant as spectacle, but as a powerful way to understand the brutality and complexity of what happened in December 1944.
This immersion helps visitors grasp why this episode represents a major turning point in the Battle of the Bulge and why La Gleize holds such a special place in this history.
A place of transmission and living memory
The December 44 Museum is also a place of intergenerational transmission. It is not uncommon to meet grandchildren of veterans who come to seek answers, better understand the experiences of their relatives or simply pay their respects. This human dimension gives the museum a particular depth, built on respect, curiosity and sometimes quiet emotion.
More than a military museum, it is a place that invites reflection on memory, the violence of war and the way these events continue to resonate today.
A powerful discovery beyond clichés
A visit to the December 44 Museum rarely leaves anyone indifferent. It surprises through the richness of its collection, moves visitors through its sensitive approach and leaves a lasting impression through the strength of its message. Visitors leave with a deeper understanding of this chapter of history — and with the feeling of having encountered an essential place of remembrance here in Wallonia.
Opening times
Thursday to Monday, public holidays and every day during Belgian school holidays: 10.00 to 18.00 • January (excluding school holidays), open only on Saturdays and Sundays • Closes at 16.00 on 24/12 and 31/12. Closed on 25/12 and 1/01.
Price
Adults €10 • Children (8-12 years) €7 • Children (<8 years) free of charge
Tour length
1.5 hrs (with video)
Group
Price (minimum 15 people) €7 • Schools €4
