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Museum · Waterloo, Brabante Valão
Ferme de Mont-Saint-Jean
Farm that served as a British field hospital during the Battle of Waterloo, treating around 6,000 wounded. It features a museum on wartime surgery, a microbrewery and a distillery.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Ferme de Mont-Saint-Jean
The Ferme de Mont-Saint-Jean is a walled farm on the Chaussée de Charleroi, south of Waterloo, just over a kilometre behind the allied line of 1815. Its history goes back several centuries: it belonged to the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of Saint John, whose Maltese cross from 1682 still appears above the entrance.
In June 1815, Wellington set up the field hospital for the British troops there. During and after the battle, surgeons operated on about 6,000 soldiers in a few days, many undergoing amputations without anesthesia. A plaque in the courtyard honors the medical team.
The museum Le Revers de la Médaille occupies part of the large barn that housed the operating theatre. It displays period surgical instruments, weapons, uniforms and ammunition, and reproduces drawings of the wounded made by the Scottish surgeon Charles Bell, who was on site. The information is in French, English and Flemish.
The farm also brews Waterloo beer in a microbrewery on the premises, and produces gin and whisky in a microdistillery. There is a shop, a restaurant and guided tours of the production followed by a tasting.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About an hour and a half for the museum. With the guided brewery tour and a meal at the restaurant, allow half a day.
Best time
The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday, and the guided brewery tours usually take place Saturday and Sunday afternoons, in French, with English on request. Check days and times before you go.
How to get there
It is on the Chaussée de Charleroi, the N5 road, about 3.5 km south of Waterloo town centre and roughly 1 km from the Mémorial 1815. By car it is only a few minutes, with parking on site. Without a car, regional TEC buses run along the N5; check the line before you go.
Tip
Prepare your stomach: the museum displays saws and amputation instruments and describes operations bluntly, which may upset children. For drivers, the tasting is small, but it's wise to choose a driver who will not drink.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Ferme de Mont-Saint-Jean
What was the role of the Ferme de Mont-Saint-Jean in the Battle of Waterloo?
It served as Wellington's army field hospital. During and after the battle of 18 June 1815, around 6,000 wounded were treated there.
Is Waterloo beer made at the Ferme de Mont-Saint-Jean?
Yes. The farm has a microbrewery that produces Waterloo beer and offers guided tours with tastings, as well as a microdistillery for gin and whisky.
Is the Ferme de Mont-Saint-Jean museum suitable for children?
It depends on the child. The subject is wartime surgery, with amputation instruments and drawings of the wounded, which can be upsetting for young children.