This page gives a little bit more info into the sites listed on the three day tour, if you have been linked via another page please use the page back arrows on your browser to return.
Built in 1884 the fort was the scene of a harsh battle, during 1916 the fort was attacked on June 1st, its commander Major Sylvain-Eugéne Raynal estimated that the shells fell at a rate of 2000 an hour, and on the 2nd the Germans attacked with infantry. They tried to secure the fort but the Germans gained entry, from then on there followed a battle inside the fort, gallery by gallery, using sand bags and explosives, the Germans retaliating with gas and flame throwers.
- With support failing to come to the fort, due to the last pigeon being killed in action, water was the factor that caused Raynal to surrender. Raynal was taken to the crown prince of Germany, who on noticing that he had lost his sword, presented Raynal with one taken from another French officer.
- There is a shop and tour available.
The battle of verdun raged from February 1916 to August 1917 and was a major battle of the first world war, in which almost 400,000 French troops were killed.
- Inaugurated on April 7th 1932, the Ossuary was the idea of Monseigneur Ginistry, Bishop of Verdun. He raised the money to build the Ossuary and during its fund raising and building had the bones collected from the surrounding battlefields so that they shall be housed in the ground floor.
- To the front is a cemetery for 15,000 soldiers, and from the top of the central tower known as the Tour des Morts, there is a view over the whole area.
- There is a shop and moving film.
- Digging of the Citadel begun in 1624 and comprises of 5 miles of tunnels.
- During the war it was home to soldiers, hospital, stores etc.
- The French Unknown Soldier was taken from here to his final resting place in Paris.
- There is a shop and tour.
Goto maps for detailed information on driving this tour.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Follow the links for D.I.Y Battlefield Tours
Maps & Guides give’s you info to help along the way.
Battlefields - Maps & locations.
Great War Links - other sites dedicated to WW1 & 2
 |
 |
