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Lion's Mound

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monument
—°6
Lion's Mound (Belgium)

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The Lion's Mound (Butte du Lion) is the most prominent and iconic monument on the historic battlefield of Waterloo in Braine-l'Alleud. This artificially constructed, 40-meter-high conical earthen hill was built between 1823 and 1826 by order of King William I of the Netherlands to mark the decisive spot where his son, the Prince of Orange (the future King William II), was wounded during the epic battle on June 18, 1815. The summit of the mound, reached by climbing 226 steep steps, is crowned by a colossal cast-iron lion statue. The 28-ton lion, resting on a stone pedestal and gazing heroically towards France, symbolizes the courage of the allied troops and the hard-won peace across Europe following Napoleon's final defeat. From the observation deck at the lion's feet, visitors are treated to an impressive panoramic view over the vast, rolling fields and farmsteads where the bloody engagement took place, supported by detailed orientation panels that clearly illustrate the complex troop movements of that fateful day.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C236913161818141163
Rain mm706359426165727853627079

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The Lion's Mound is a monument on the Waterloo battlefield, accessible at any time. Visitors can climb the mound and visit the visitor centre at the nearby Hougoumont farm.
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Typical hours
The mound is accessible 24/7; the visitor centre typically opens daily from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM (summer) or 5 PM (winter). The mound is unlit at night.
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Photography
Photography is allowed on the mound and across the battlefield; the view from the top is spectacular. Drones are not permitted out of respect for the historic site, but telephoto shots are possible.
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Time needed
Allow about 30 minutes for the climb and view, plus 1 to 1.5 hours for the visitor centre. A thorough tour of the entire battlefield can take 3-4 hours.
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Combine with
Combine the Lion's Mound with the nearby Château de Waterloo and the Waterloo Panorama. The Hougoumont farm and Wellington Museum are also worth visiting.
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Getting there
The Lion's Mound is easily reached by car, with parking at the base. The Waterloo-Lion bus stop serves the site; cycling via the RAVEL route is also possible.
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Insider tip
Climb the mound early morning or at sunset for a peaceful atmosphere and beautiful light. Combine your Lion's Mound ticket with a pass for the entire battlefield museum.

Geography

Coordinates
50.67850, 4.40530

Explore nearby

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Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Lion's Mound (6)

Château de la Rose🏰 castle

A 20th-century castle near the Lions Mound.

Mémorial de Waterloo 1815🏛 museum

A modern museum commemorating the famous Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

🕒 PH,Mo-Su 09:30-19:30♿💶

Château Diesbeck🏰 castle

A local castle situated near the historic site of the Lion's Mound.

Château du Cheneau🏰 castle

An elegant castle building in the vicinity of the Lion's Mound.

Panorama🏛 museum

This museum houses an impressive panoramic painting of the Battle of Waterloo.

♿💶

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

How many steps lead to the top?
There are exactly 226 steps leading to the top of the artificial mound.
What does this mound mark?
It marks the spot where the Prince of Orange was wounded during the Battle of Waterloo.
Is it accessible for wheelchair users?
The mound itself is not, but the visitor center and the Panorama painting are accessible.
What is the Panorama painting?
A huge circular painting from 1912 depicting key scenes from the battle.
Is there parking on-site?
Yes, there is a large free parking lot for visitors right by the complex.
Lion's Mound: where is it located?
Lion's Mound is located in Belgium.
Lion's Mound: what is there to see?
Highlights include Ferme du Caillou, Château de la Rose, Mémorial de Waterloo 1815.
Lion's Mound: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Lion's Mound: why is it worth visiting?
The Lion's Mound (Butte du Lion) is the most prominent and iconic monument on the historic battlefield of Waterloo in Braine-l'Alleud.
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