Content
The Battle of Verdun took place from February 21 to December 19, 1916 and claimed 700,000 victims, both French and German, including 300,000 dead.
Here are the things to do if you have the opportunity to spend 2 or 3 days around Verdun.
10 things to see in Verdun
10 things to do in Verdun, by priority (10 being the lowest priority).
1. Douaumont Ossuary
Located in the middle of the forest, the Douaumont National Necropolis is a high place of remembrance of the Battle of Verdun where the remains of 130,000 unknown soldiers lie. And the impressive 16,142 graves lined up are nothing compared to the thousands of bones visible through the skylights in the common graves of the ossuary.
Douaumont Ossuary
2. Douaumont Fort
Douaumont Fort is the most powerful work in the stronghold of Verdun. This fort is one of the best preserved, although some galleries are no longer visited. You can also visit the smaller Vaux fort, a few kilometers away.
Douaumont Fort
3. Froideterre Work
The Froideterre work is a fortification to see. The work cannot be visited, although it is possible to go inside (at your own risk).
Work of Froideterre
4. Path in the forest around the Fort of Souville
The trails take you into the forest and allow you to walk along forts, casemates, trenches scattered throughout this magnificent route.
Fort de Souville
5. La Falouse Work
This fort has been completely “refurbished” and refurnished, as well as the trench that surrounds the fort, as it was in 1916 (about 5 euros the entrance, free for children).
Work of the falouse
6. Kronprinz Shelters
The Kronprinz shelters were built during the first months of the war, as soon as the front stabilized once the war of movement was over. A mini ghost town where the forest has taken over.
Kronprinz Shelter
7. Underground galleries of Vauquois
The Vauquois mound is a gigantic termite mound: 17 km of galleries underground, 184 rooms constituting the German barracks on several levels. To do.
Butte Vauquois
8. Kaiser tunnel
These underground galleries in the middle of the forest are maintained by an association of volunteers. Ask about the days of visits. 100% authentic visit.
Kaiser tunnel
9. Verdun high citadel
Only on certain occasions (heritage day). Here no mass visits. Totally preserved site.
Verdun high citadel
10. Verdun Memorial
The new tour unfolds on three levels along a discovery path. From the entrance, visitors are invited to situate the Battle of Verdun in time and history, and then to put their steps in those of a soldier who leaves for the front lines.
Verdun Memorial
Other things to see, but less interesting
11. Lower Citadel of Verdun
Expensive for a 30 minute tour that dates back to 1990. Wait for the renovation in June 2019 to go there.
Lower Citadel of Verdun
12. Shelter of the 4 Chimneys
L’abri des 4 Cheminées est l’un des 3 abris de troupe qui existent dans le secteur de Verdun.
Abri des 4 cheminées
13. Bayonet Trench
Bayonets have been repeatedly stolen, replaced, and revolted, so that there are none left.
Tranchée des baïonnettes
Reminder
It is very dangerous to visit forts that are not open to the public, because of the risk of landslides, and especially because of the wells that were used to bring up ammunition, but also to access the tanks and the numerous networks of underground tunnels connecting the casemates around the forts.