The Panorama

Next to the Visitors’ Centre, housed in a vast circular building, the Panorama is home to the canvas painted by Louis Dumoulin in 1912 for the celebration of the first centenary of the battle. This gigantic fresco is of spectacular dimensions: 110 metres in circumference, and 12 metres high.

The concept behind the Panorama dates back to the 19th century. A massive yet elegant building, it is designed to accommodate large paintings up to 100x14 metres.

The themes of the paintings in the Panorama often depict famous battles, religious moments or landscapes. The Panorama offers the public a moment of escape thanks to this unique visual theatre.

A magnificent Panorama

The magnificent Waterloo Panorama depicts a key moment in the thick of the battle. On a 360° surface, Louis Dumoulin has shown Polish Lancers, the charge of General Ney, Napoleon surrounded by his staff and the resistance of the English squares around Wellington.

Its imposing dimensions, the presentation of the combatants, the period arms and uniforms give the fresco its realism. The circular layout draws viewers into the picture and gives them the impression of being at the very heart of the action, transported by the winds of this epic battle.

Cavalry charges, cannon-fire, the clash of sabres, bugles or the shouts of infantrymen: the new sound animation literally plunges visitors into the heart of the battle.