Ferme de la Papelotte, military stronghold at the Battle of Waterloo
The Ferme de la Papelotte is a rural property in Waterloo featuring buildings arranged around a central courtyard in Brabant architectural style. The main structure includes a distinctive octagonal tower above the entrance gate, with a large barn built in 1856, stables, carriage house with six arches, and additional farm buildings with white-lime walls and slate roofs.
The farm appears in records from the late 1600s and served as a key defensive stronghold on June 18, 1815, held by Nassau soldiers under Wellington's command against Napoleon's forces. Heavily damaged in the fighting and partly burned, it was left in ruins for about 40 years before being reconstructed in the 1850s with its distinctive octagonal tower added.
The farm's name comes from the Walloon language, reflecting the original character of the surrounding land. Today, visitors walk through the restored buildings and feel the connection between the rural setting and the significant military events that unfolded here.
The farm is located about 2 kilometers east of the Lion's Mound and accessed via Chemin de la Papelotte. Visitors can walk around the grounds and buildings at their own pace, and the flat terrain makes exploring accessible for most people.
A fire in 1884 left blackened scorch marks on some doors that remain visible today, serving as silent reminders of this past incident. The famous writer Victor Hugo visited the farm while walking through the nearby fields and found inspiration in the quiet rural landscape.
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