Historical information
The Museum
retraces the history of one of the oldest Belgian cavalry regiments,
from its origins which date back to 1814, until present times.
Mannequins,
weapons, vehicles, various objects and photos are displayed in two adjoining
rooms, in different sections, each one corresponding to a specific era:
the CARABINEERS N°2 of Waterloo, which became the CUIRASSIERS N°2
in 1816, the 1st Regiment of CUIRASSIERS of 1830 which became the 3rd
Regiment of LANCERS in 1863, the First World War, the in-between war
period, the motorisation of 1937 and the Battle of 18 Days, the establishment
in 1950 of a SHERMAN tank Regiment, which was replaced in 1952 by PATTON
M47s, Instruction Regiment thereafter Reserve Regiment of 1969 to 1972,
Regiment of LEOPARD tanks in 1973, which became the Regiment of Parachutist
Reconnaissance in 1992, merger with the 1st LANCERS in 2003 to form the
current 1st/3rd Regiment of LANCERS, LEOPARD tank battalion.
Explanatory
texts in French describe the evolution of the Regiment.
The official
website of the museum stands here and
can be contacted there.
Location information
The museum is
located at:
Citadelle de Namur
8, route Merveilleuse
"Terra Nova" building
B-5000 Namur
Personal note
You need to ask specific entrance to the General Citadel museum which
organizes mini train rides.
The visit comprises the whole of the fortified territory: an underground
guided tour, a panoramic train ride, a video on the history of the Citadel,
a visit to the "Tradition Hall" of the 3rd Regiment of LANCER
PARACHUTISTS, a visit to the "Replica Hall" of the Citadel. Those
who wish can visit only the "Tradition Hall".
By the Route Merveilleuse, on the left bank of the Meuse River. Parking for 50
cars in the bastioned area, or 500 parking spaces at the stadium and a train
ride down to bastioned area.
Buses must go up by the road, on the Sambre side, and park at the stadium. The
Terra-Nova barracks where the "Tradition Hall" is located is a ground
level building.
