At the reception of the Museum of battle of the bulgein La Roche-en-Ardenne in Belgium, a little blond head scrutinizes the visitors who start their visit. Around, showcases filled with period objects, models, and photographs. On one of them in black and white, soldiers pose with weapons in their hands.
History as a passion
He’s my great grandpa! He was an Ardennes hunter
proudly says Florent Bouillon, 12, who takes advantage of his first days of vacation to accompany his father to the museum he runs.
Gilles Bouillon inherited history as a passion from his father, Michel Bouillon. My dad, then 8 years old, experienced the Second World War in his gut: he was evacuated from his village (a few kilometers from La Roche-en-Ardenne) in May 1940 with his family. During this evacuation, they were machine-gunned by the German air force. His grandmother, my great-grandmother, was injured. Their house was looted and then destroyed.
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Gilles Bouillon, in his museum, in 2022. © Ouest-France
The day after the Release, Michel opened a butcher’s shop in 1955 in La Roche, a village almost 90% destroyed during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944-1945. Next, he begins to collect objects of war, from both sides.
Veterans Donations
Gilles Bouillon, his youngest son born in 1967, extended this collection from his childhood. While his brother takes over the butcher’s shop, this car mechanics enthusiast opens a garage which gradually turned into a museum
. The three-storey building now houses only authentic pieces, some of which have been bequeathed by veterans.
When a veteran gives his personal belongings, it’s a great recognition and a lot of emotions for the museum.
says Gilles before citing as an example the uniform of Lieutenant-Colonel Cathaert, of the 51e Highland division which liberated La Roche 1945.
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In La Roche-en-Ardenne (Belgium), Gilles Bouillon’s garage gradually became a museum of the Battle of the Bulge. © West-France
Without public funding, the Belgian family museum plays the card of originality to stand out from its neighbour, the Bastogne museum, 30 km away. Here, it’s a passionate family story. Many say they feel it. Moreover, we are the only ones to tell the action of the British, in particular Scottish, English, Welsh, Canadians, in the Liberation of the Ardennes alongside the United States during the counter-offensive of January 1945
he says while little Florent is still at the reception. He is very connected to history, and very proud to show his grandpa’s photos.
, says his father, no less proud. And he wants to pursue a military career
. With the Bouillons, history continues…
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