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Verdun |
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The
citadel
The citadel of Verdun was constructed from
1200. During this years many modifications were done. Between 1890 and 1893 more
than 7 kilometres of gallery were constructed under the citadel. In the World War I
the citadel was the logistic centre for the battle of Verdun. During
the war more than 10.000 soldiers lived and worked in the galleries. In 1920 the
unknown soldier was chosen who was buried under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Today you can visit the citadel in an
automatic train seeing more than 15 scenes of the war around Verdun
Open all days of the year
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Fort
Douaumont
One of the main forts around Verdun was
constructed from 1885. The fort was attacked by the Germans on 25 February
1916 and surrendered very quickly; the major part of the garrison was withdrawn. The German used the fort as main observation post and
barracks. On 8 May 1916 French artillery attacked the fort and a 420 mm
shell exploded in the fort. More than 679 soldiers died and were buried in the
fort. On 24 October 1916 the fort was taken by the French army.
Today you can visit the interior, seeing the
commando post, the retractable turrets and the barracks
Open every day from March till
November
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Fort
Vaux
The history of this fort, attacked by the German army on 1 June 1916, is dramatic.
More than 6 days
and 7 nights the garrison fought in the galleries of the fort before it surrendered.
Today you can visit the fort and
imagine for yourself how it was in 1916.
Open every day from February till
December
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National
Museum
Situated in the neighbourhood of former village of Fleury this
museum gives an impression of
the battle of Verdun. In the museum is an exposition of weapons, uniforms and
documents
Open all days
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Ossuaire
of Douamont
In the hart of the battlefields you
will find the Ossuaire of Douamont. This monument has a tower of 46 meters in
the shape of a grenade. In the ossuaire are 18 niches containing the remains of
more than 130.000 unknown soldiers. In front of the monument there is a cemetery with 15.000 graves
Open all days from March till
November
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For more
information:
Place de la Nation / B.P. 232 /
55106 Verdun
Telephone: ++ 33 (0)3 29 86 14 18
Fax: ++ 33 (0)3 29 84 22 42 42
Internet:
www.verduntourisme.com
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