Bois Jacques: the Easy Company foxholes near Foy
In a pine forest a few minutes north of Bastogne, the ground is still marked by the holes that Easy Company dug in the frozen earth in December 1944.
Updated September 27, 2026 · By the info-lux newsroom, Bastogne
The Bois Jacques is a forest between Foy and Bizory, about 3 miles (5 km) north of Bastogne. Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the company of Band of Brothers, held the line here. Their foxholes are still visible. Access is free, with a path and information panels. Wear boots, stay on the paths and take nothing. An Easy Company memorial stands nearby in Foy.
What happened here
During the siege, the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment held the northern edge of the Bastogne perimeter, facing the village of Foy. Easy Company dug in among the trees of the Bois Jacques, in bitter cold and under constant artillery fire. Stephen Ambrose told their story in the book Band of Brothers, and HBO turned it into the 2001 series. In January 1945, the company attacked Foy from these woods.
Visiting the foxholes
- The site is along the road between Foy and Bizory. A path and panels lead you through the positions.
- The foxholes are shallow hollows today, softened by moss and pine needles. Walk slowly and you will start to see the line they formed.
- This is a memorial site. Do not dig, do not bring a metal detector and do not remove anything.
- The ground is uneven and often wet. Wear boots, especially from October to April.
- Some Bastogne War Museum tickets include the Bois Jacques as an outdoor extension in season, and the museum runs guided tours here during the Nuts Weekend.
Nearby
Drive on to Foy to see the Easy Company memorial. Then continue to Recogne, a few minutes away, where the German military cemetery stands. For a full day on the Easy Company trail, see our Band of Brothers itinerary.
Practical information
| Location | Bois Jacques, between Foy and Bizory, municipality of Bastogne (about 3 miles / 5 km north of downtown) |
|---|---|
| Admission | Free, open access |
| Time needed | 45 minutes to 1 hour |
| What to wear | Waterproof walking boots |
Frequently asked questions
Where are the Band of Brothers foxholes?
In the Bois Jacques woods between Foy and Bizory, north of Bastogne, Belgium. Easy Company, 506th PIR, held this line during the siege in December 1944 and January 1945.
Can you still see the foxholes at Bastogne?
Yes. More than 80 years later, the foxholes are still visible as hollows in the forest floor along a marked path.
Is the Bois Jacques free to visit?
Yes. Access is free and open. It is a remembrance site: stay on the paths and do not remove anything.
Can I use a metal detector there?
No. Metal detecting in Wallonia requires an official permit, it is not allowed at memorial sites, and unexploded ordnance is still found in the Ardennes forests.
Sources: Land of Memory, VISITWallonia, Maison du Tourisme du Pays de Bastogne, Bastogne War Museum. Opening hours and prices change: check the official website before your visit. Written in English by the info-lux newsroom, independent regional news media based in the Belgian province of Luxembourg.