It becomes an exceptional ecosystem for flora and fauna. Almonds or chocolates, colored or silver, there will be something for everyone!Ĭreated in the aftermath of the First World War, with 36 million trees planted, the state forest of Verdun extends over the battlefield and covers more than 10,000 hectares. Born in 1783, Maison Braquier offers a wide choice of sugared almonds. The city has recited several commemorative monuments: Monument de la Victoire, Monument to the Children of Verdun… including the most famous, the Douaumont Ossuary, which contains the remains of 130,000 men.Įpiscoscal city, Verdun conceals a rich religious heritage since in the 16th century, it forms with the cities of Toul and Metz the province of the 'Three Bishoprics'.įrom the church of Saint-Baptiste or even Saint-Victor via the Saint-Nicolas chapel, you just have to walk through the streets of the upper town and stroll along the Meuse to be convinced.Įxcite your taste buds with the famous artisanal dragerie de Verdun. The most famous of them, the Fort de Vaux and the Fort de Douaumont and the underground citadel tell you through their gallery visits about the lives of soldiers. To ensure the defense of Verdun, no less than 2 belts of around forty forts, structures, infantry shelters, entrenchments, etc. The name of Verdun resonates in the history of mankind as one of the greatest and most tragic battles of the 1st world war. The old episcopal palace is where you will find the World Centre for Peace, Liberty and Human Rights, a place for exhibitions, meetings and dialogue. Paul's Gate, a triumphal arch that used to be part of the ramparts and the 16th-century Princerie mansion that houses Verdun Museum of Art and History. While the memory of the world wars is omnipresent, Verdun also has some urban heritage that is worth a visit: the Cathedral of Our Lady, one of the oldest in Europe St. Verdun offers many tours and circuits at its historic sites, as well as a sound and light show, 'From Flames to Light', from June to the end of July. The Verdun Memorial reopened in 2016 after renovation work and has an exhibition about the battle on three floors. This is also where the 'unknown soldier' now lying beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris was chosen. It has recreations of scenes from everyday life during the battle. This veritable logistical HQ is very impressive and is made up of tunnels where the soldiers lived and military equipment was stored. Today, Verdun is the world capital of Peace, and has managed to combine tourism development and the duty of remembrance without striking any wrong notes.Īs well as the many nearby war-related sites and remembrance locations for the Battle of Verdun centenary (Douaumont Ossuary and Fort, Fort Vaux, the Sacred Way, Souville Fort, Thiaumont Fortress, etc.), you can visit the city's underground citadel, built between 18, to help you understand the events of the First World War. After the terrible battle in 1916 in which two out of three French soldiers fought, the town was devastated, and would once more endure German occupation in the Second World War.

After the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine, it became the stronghold of the north-east border. As the location of a terrible battle that lasted 10 months in 1916 and killed over 300,000, the city honours this sorrowful past by paying a permanent tribute to the soldiers who died on the front.Ī garrison town from the 17th century onwards, fortified by Vauban, Verdun became increasingly militarised in the 19th century, at the expense of industry. The Lorraine city of Verdun, in the centre of Meuse, has been shaped by major historical events linked to the First World War.

Verdun battle site