Hougoumont

18 June 1815

Far from being an austere account of the events of the battle, this book, with its photographs and text, is a plunge into the strange atmosphere of what was a manor house and prosperous farm before men came there to fight to death. Above all, it is a poetic meander through a place where, for nine hours, thousands of combatants faced each other and six thousand of them never got up from where they fell.

Even today, an atmosphere reigns which moves visitors to spontaneously speak in whispers. In its position, protected by its fields and orchard, Hougoumont respectfully protects its humble, rustic chapel which still stands silent witness.

With a pretty bouquet of words, here is the somnolent Hougoumont today.