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Visit of the main monuments of the Great War in Verdun

This remarkable tour allows you to explore the main monuments of the Battle of Verdun.

The First World War tends to be forgotten these days, but a visit to Verdun remains a fascinating experience. It is one of the few places where you can still feel the impact of the battles of the First World War. Nature still bears the scars of the appalling fighting of 1916.

It is important to remember that the Battle of Verdun produced no winners. After months of fighting, the opposing forces returned to their original positions.

Verdun's underground citadel is the closest monument to the town centre and well worth a visit.

If you are planning a visit, a weekend is recommended, as there is so much to see. A car is needed to explore the various battle sites.

Mémorial de Verdun

The underground citadel of Verdun

Interest: very good (3 users)
Difficulty:
Duration: 10 h.
Practical information

The corridors of Douaumont fort

There are two main forts to visit: Douaumont and Vaux. Douaumont is larger than Vaux, but the two forts are very similar. The capture of Douaumont by the Germans in 1916 took place fairly quickly, as the French no longer believed in the importance of forts. The recapture of the fort was much bloodier for the French.
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The fort of Vaux

Fort de Vaux was the scene of intense battles. The fort withstood German attacks for a week (2-6 June 1916) before surrendering.
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The interior of the Vaux fort

At the end of the attack, hand-to-hand fighting intensified inside the fort in a deafening tumult. The French soldiers resisted fiercely, but faced with a shortage of water and no possibility of refuelling, they were finally forced to surrender to the enemy.
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The Verdun Memorial Museum

Through its exhibitions, the Musée du Mémorial de Verdun offers a poignant testimony to the tragic events that took place in the region. You will discover artefacts, photographs, historical documents and reconstructions that retrace the course of the battle, as well as the daily lives of soldiers at the front.
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Douaumont Ossuary

The battle of Verdun was a very deadly one. The ossuary contains the remains of a large number of German and French soldiers. You can visit the inside of the ossuary.
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The exterior of the Douaumont fort

The fort contains many graves. The soldiers who died inside were never evacuated. 679 German soldiers are buried here; they died as a result of an ammunition explosion inside the fort.
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The Bayonet Trench

The Tranchée des Baïonnettes is an impressive monument to the soldiers who fell under enemy fire. It is said that these soldiers, buried alive by the explosion of a shell, remained standing, frozen in their trench with their bayonet at the end of their rifle. Although the veracity of this story is open to question, the bayonets remain planted in the ground as a poignant symbol of their sacrifice.
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A pillbox

You only have to walk through the forest around Verdun to be confronted with history. You can easily see the old trenches.
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Monument to Victory and the Soldiers of Verdun

The Victory Monument is located in the town centre. The crypt inside can be visited.
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The underground citadel in Verdun town centre

Built in the 17th century, Verdun's underground citadel played a crucial role during the Battle of Verdun as a supply centre and hospital. The tour was upgraded in 2021, and you can now explore the site in guided pods with augmented reality headsets over your eyes for a more immersive experience.
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Panels

The site is a tourist attraction, with signs along the way explaining the various monuments to visit.
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