Waterloo - Part 2 Château d'Hougoumont

Waterloo Part 2 - Château d'Hougoumont

The great barns had an excellent diorama of the chateau. 

Such a eye opener for me, we first approached from the French positions using the Chaussée de la Maison du Roi route (a very rough cobbled road) this was the route of Jerome’s division left flank of the French along with Pire light cavalry division scouting up the Nivelle’s road, we stopped to look at the barricaded stream crossing location. Here they faced Belgian troops and Hanoverian light cavalry protecting the Nivelles road.  You could not see the chateau at all as you approach from this route as it is in a valley which I did not appreciate also. The chateau would have been visible at all from Napoleons position as a forest blocked the view. The troop movements down the hill into the valley was difficult with a ravine also in front also, making the flank attack on the north gate more difficult. 

Looking from the Maison du Roi lane towards the chateau Hougomont 

Looking Towards the lion mound, just behind me was the position of the 1st corps starting line 

The layout of the chateau was as expected having built the Grand Manner model, although the stable footprint is smaller imho than the model. 

The garden was also a surprise with its uphill slope from the chateau more prominent than expected. Along with the drop to the north gate into the valley more pronounced. 

Looking from the old Nivelles road towards the chateau 

We approached from the North gate 

The South Gate 

The step up to the formal garden was more pronounced than I thought 

Looking back towards the lion mound 

Looking towards la Belle Alluance 

Looking back towards the French start line 

From the back fence of the garden back towards the chateau 

Next installment coming up 

Cheers

Matt