WWII Sites: Eindhoven and Bastogne

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)

https://www.visithasselt.be/en/hasselt-tastes

https://www.regjans.com/

https://liberationgarden.be/?lang=en

@Windyram: we are following Easy Company’s path. I understand the following: Netherlands (Operation Market Garden)
• Eindhoven – Liberated by Easy Company in September 1944.
• Nuenen – Heavy fighting against German tanks.
• Arnhem area – Related battles, though Easy was more in support.

Does this change any of your recommendations? Thanks so much

Ok, got it.
So perhaps drop museum Market Garden, as the focus there is more on the progress of the ground troops (between Leopoldsburg and Arnhem), not specifically the paratroopers' actions.

As E coy addicts, museum 'Bevrijdende Vleugels' will be much more interesting.
https://www.wingsofliberation.nl/

You need to visit the dropzone in Son, the Son bridge, Eindhoven church, bridges in Eindhoven, Nuenen, Koevering, Uden.

No idea if you have interest to visit Landgoed Schoonderlocht (later phase with preparation operation Pegasus).

You should ask Reg Jans if he does these guidetours in the Netherlands (if not you could contact the museum Bevrijdende Vleugels who can give you recommendations).

Just keep in mind that public transport between Hasselt and Eindhoven takes about 3 hours (bus De Lijn 20a from Hasselt to Maastricht, IC train from Maastricht to Eindhoven).

Liège has a train connection with Maastricht. If I remember well, Reg Jans already picked up visitors in Liège for a visit to the Bastogne battlegrounds.

My recommendation is start by reading books about Operation Market Garden and the siege at Bastogne. Easy Company at full strength is somewhere around 200 plus men. They did not single handedly liberate Eindhoven. The bridge at Arnhem was held by British forces during Market Garden. Neuenen was German armored infantry against American light infantry.

Eindhoven and Bastogne are not convenient to each other and while Liege is a rather drab part of that is due to the wicked pummeling of the city in 44 and 45. You need to review a road map a little closer to get an idea of what you want to cover, review the real battles vs BofB episodes and maybe pop back here for comments about your ideas.

There's no absolute need to read books when you're guided by specialized guides.
Contact Reg Jans, explain your wishes and the extent to which they can arrange transportation (of course it will have its price).

Know that Reg Jans himself is an expert on Bastogne and has colleagues who are fully versed in Market Garden.
https://www.regjans.com/market-garden/

Tom Peeters lives in Best, a 1 hour car ride from Hasselt. I don't know what his possibilities are to arrange a pick-up.

Reg Jans is a terrific guide, but he will not make transportation arrangements for you. He will pick you up at your hotel in Bastogne, or you can meet up in McAuliffe Square in Bastogne. This was his policy when we toured with him in 2019, and based on his website, it is still the case.

If you are interested in the Battle of the Bulge, Bastogne is a great place to stay. We didn't visit Eindhoven.

We took the train from Gare d'Est in Paris to Reims for 1 night, and visited the Surrender Museum - it is scheduled to reopen in March 2026. The next day we took the train to Luxembourg. We hired a car service in advance to take us to and from Bastogne. Not the cheapest way of doing things, but worth it to us.

If you're seriously interested in the events surrounding Market-Garden, I suggest reading some of the works in the last 50 or so years pertaining historiography on the topic.

Three works I recommend: that by M. Middlebrook (British military historian), C. Ryan (American), A. Beevor, (British military historian) whose work is perhaps the most comprehensive.

I would disregard the reviews on Liege if your focus seriously is on the 2 world wars.

If you want to see another site connected with Bulge , I suggest also going to Stoumont ,Belgium to check out the La Gleize battlefield museum there.

He will pick you up at your hotel in Bastogne, or you can meet up in McAuliffe Square in Bastogne. This was his policy when we toured with him in 2019, and based on his website, it is still the case.

If he became so strict, you might want to find a different guide. I also see now that he mentions that you should be a real 'history buff'.
https://www.regjans.com/faq/

Another option would be to extend your stay with a base in both Bastogne and Eindhoven (and a travel day between these two).

Guides in Bastogne https://www.bastogne-tourisme.be/guide-de-bastogne

And of course the team of the 101st Abn Div museum https://101airbornemuseumbastogne.com/en/briefing-battle-tour/

To reach Bastogne, you take at Brussels-Midi the train direction Luxemburg, get out at Marloie station from where a TEC bus brings you to Bastogne station.

The move between Bastogne and Eindhoven is then done by another TEC bus from Bastogne to Liège-Guillemin and train to Maastricht, change train to Eindhoven.

Reg Jans may be an expert guide but he looks to be 95% booked up for the next year. No dates during the weekday. not very useful
Windyram, thank you for the link to some available guides.