Waterloo Part 2 - Château d'Hougoumont
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| 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.
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Looking from the Maison du Roi lane towards the chateau Hougomont
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| 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
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| We approached from the North gate |
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| The South Gate |
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| The step up to the formal garden was more pronounced than I thought |
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| Looking back towards the lion mound |
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| Looking towards la Belle Alluance |
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| Looking back towards the French start line |
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| From the back fence of the garden back towards the chateau |
Next installment coming up
Cheers
Matt
