September 2025 trip to Germany and Belgium

Look at the Wikipedia site for Mons. In WWI Mons was liberated by Canadian Forces on the 11th of November 1918 after 50 months of occupation by the Germans. The last shot of WWI took place here. In WWII US Forces took 25,000 German prisoners in Sept 1944 in Mons. Mons is located in the Walloon part of Belgium which is more in the center rather than the coast. It is less 50 miles from Brussells. If you do go there you are not that far from Waterloo where Napoleon met his defeat.

It is interesting what makes the cut in guidebooks and what doesn't. Most guidebooks only treat Brussels and the three Flemish cities Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent. Even though European tourists are into the Ardennes (Wallonia), it's rarely treated in English-language guidebooks. Likewise Mons and Tournai, but this doesn't necessarily mean they are not interesting to visit, they are just lesser-known. I think also responsible guidebook writers have to consider things like infrastructure, language ability and transport, and yes, how promoting a new city could change things for a given community. Everyone talks overtourism, but the 'big four' are better set up to handle the glut of tourists ... well, I think Bruges is groaning under the weight, but it's set up as a tourist city. Mons and Tournai are not. But perhaps you are doing your bit for overtourism by spreading the love to other cities. If you really want to look at alternatives just about anywhere in Wallonia is undervisited. Namur, Dinant (which does get some recognition but not that much), Bouillon, any of these is attractive and interesting. Bring your French skills, it's an opportunity to practise!

Lavandula

It’s not a place for WW II sites depending on what you are looking for. The Belgians rapidly collapsed in May 1940. Montgomery rapidly advanced in the summer/fall of 1944, until his Market Garden Campaign in mid September.

Other than incredible monuments and numerous cemeteries one has to have detailed knowledge to follow allied advances in August/September 44. I got a lot out of seeing Mons with an experienced guide for WW I battles.

Bastogne/St Vith/Baugnez are where you should visit if you are interested significant American fighting in Belgium.

You may want to consider Sedan, on the French / Belgian boarder. It has historical significance going back hundreds of years. A strategic crossing point it was heavily fought over in both World Wars, and this is the place where France held up Rommel for 10 days at the beginning of WWII. A huge fort, an interesting town, and very few tourists. I actually prefer it to Bastogne, which is exceptionally commercial. Note the American monument at Bastogne is closed off and will be for a couple years for structural work.

The Carrefour in Bastogne is a very good place to shop for wine and local products at reasonable prices. Get your picnic supplies here and eat out on the battlefields. (I personally believe the foxholes and trenches get some "restoration" in the off season, so I've pretty much lost interest in that specific region.)

And yes, I've been to both in the past 6 months.