We will be traveling from Paris and want to see both Eindhoven and Bastogne. We are looking for a base town that is accessible by train from Paris and then pick up day tours to each location. We want to avoid Liege based on the reviews on this site. Any suggestions for a base town to see both sites? Also, any recommendations for tour companies to these sites? Thanks
Posted by
Belgium
187 posts
You've given us very little information about why you chose both Eindhoven and Bastogne.
A large number of troops were involved in Bastogne, while Eindhoven is only known for the landing of 101st Airborne Division and the passage of Market Garden troops (primarily British).
It suggests to me that you're interested in 101st Airborne Division, although you might be equally interested in Air Force operations over both locations, not to mention the potential interest in the deployment of Nazi troops in both locations.
I also note your resistance to Liège as a base (although I don't understand why).
An option in that case would, of course, be Hasselt (BE), the belgian capital of taste. It's barely an hour from Eindhoven and an hour and a half from Bastogne (journey timings by car). With the right choice of guide, who has his own transportation and picks you up in Hasselt for both day trips, this is an ideal location.
From Paris, you can travel by Eurostar or Ouigo to Brussels-Midi, from where you can continue your journey by intercity train to Hasselt, the city of taste.
I'd also like to point out that for a proper understanding of Operation Market Garden, the museum 'Liberation Garden' in Leopoldsburg is the most suitable location.
As a guide, I'm looking in the direction of Reg Jans. He operates from Heusden-Zolder, fifteen minutes from Hasselt.
Useful links
https://www.b-europe.com/EN (international train)
https://www.belgiantrain.be/en/ (local train)