Waterloo 200

My wife and I have discussed the possibility of visiting Waterloo for the 200th commemoration a year from now. It occurred to me that it would be fun to use this opportunity to meet up with Scourge of War-types at the battlefield to share what will obviously be a momentous event -- particularly so since it will likely correspond more-or-less with the release of Norb's new Waterloo game. From a scan of the websites, it seems that although excitement will be building throughout the early months of 2015, the main battlefield events (e.g., reenactments, Duchess of Richmond's Ball, etc.) will be concentrated in mid-June, primarily the 17th-21st.

Here are a few relevant links:
http://www.waterloo200.org/
http://www.visitbelgium.com/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,print,0&cntnt01articleid=106&cntnt01showtemplate=false&cntnt01returnid=75
http://belgiumtheplaceto.be/Waterloo-Battlefield-Re-enactment-June-2015.php
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/24/world/europe/200-years-after-battle-some-hard-feelings-remain.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

There are, of course, thousands of books about the campaign and the battle. A few of my favorites among more recent titles include:
The Battle: A New History of Waterloo http://www.amazon.com/The-Battle-New-History-Waterloo/dp/0802715001/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1404066898&sr=8-4&keywords=battle+waterloo
Chandler's "Campaigns of Napoleon" http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Campaigns%20of%20Napoleon%20chandler
Wellington: The Iron Duke http://www.amazon.com/Wellington-Iron-Duke-Richard-Holmes/dp/0007137508/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404067289&sr=8-1&keywords=wellington+the+iron+duke

This looks to be a once-in-a-lifetime event and will, no doubt, bring in LOTS of people. It's probably not too early to start making plans for anyone serious about attending.

Something to think about!

PS This is also posted in the GCM forums

Yes, I definitely want to go, but if you need a hotel stay you'd better book now.

Been there twice already. I might just drive over for the day just to buy Ron a beer.

As a precaution, I've booked a hotel in Nivelles through Booking.com for the commemoration. Think this would likely be the most problematic as the 200th gets closer. Now, at least, there is a confirmed reservation, may cancel with no penalty and pay when/if we arrive.

Which hotel was it? I'll take a look too.

It is the IBIS in Nivelles. Appears to be a newer hotel with little ambiance, but fairly inexpensive.

IBIS is a franchise. And a good one too.

Just tried the Ibis via booking.com - fully booked for 20-21/6/15. Booked a B&B not far away - £60 including breakfast.

My booking is from 15 - 18 June (leaving for Finland on 6/19). I've likewise always had good luck with Ibis. Not fancy, but then, don't plan to spend lots of time in the room.

I shall mount my car and join the merry crowd.

which b&b? got a link?
when I was looking nothing was even taking reservations past june 1

The Fox - why 20/21 June? All the celebrations will be over then, you need the 16th to 18th June. Which B&B was it?

FWIW, changed our hotel booking to the IBIS Charleroi Gare (using Book.com). It is a bit farther from Waterloo (the battlefield is ~20 miles away), but is nearly 200 euros cheaper (€276 vs €466) over 4 nights. Both Nivelles and Charleroi appear to have decent rail connections to Waterloo station with IBIS Charleroi Gare being close to the depot, obviously. In any event, I plan on renting a car to make it easier to visit the Quatra Bras and Ligny fields.