Verdun Memorial

Douaumont, France

The Verdun Memorial is a war memorial to commemorate the Battle of Verdun, fought in 1916 as part of the First World War. It is situated on the battlefield, close to the destroyed village of Fleury-devant-Douaumont.

It was built during the 1960s, financed by Maurice Genevoix and has been open to the public since September 17, 1967. It remembers both French and German combatants as well as the civilian populations lost during the Battle of Verdun. Furthermore, it is a military museum which displays French and German armaments (including rifles, machine guns and field artillery), military vehicles, uniforms and equipment of both French and German troops during the battle. Over time it has become more of an educational museum than a commemorative monument in an effort to keep younger generations aware of their communal heritage. It also contains a movie theater projecting relevant period films on the battle, a research facility, a library, and a bookstore.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 1967
Category: Statues in France

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Sören Ücker (2 years ago)
Amazing memorial on the battlefields of Verdun. The museum is a must visit. Interesting materials, pictures and stories are waiting inside
Urh Sobocan (2 years ago)
A great museum, I loved the overview presentation with the projection over terrain relief at the beginning, it's a great introduction giving context to the battle. A superb mixture of items, testimonies and art all belonging to people who witnessed the horrors.
Nico Rascona (2 years ago)
It has always been a goal of mine to visit here to pay my respects to those who lost their lives. The museum does a great job displaying history from both the French and German side. A must visit for any WWI or history enthusiast.
Shannon Carr (2 years ago)
Fabulous museum. Information is available in English as well as French and German and is presented visually, auditorially and tactilely. I learned so much about how important the Battle of Verdun was to the French with 75% of the WWI French soldiers participating. The beginning of avaition warfare which occurred in Verdun is explained. The destruction of the constant shelling can still be seen in the landscape. Do visit the Forts of Douaumont and Vaux and the remnants of the destroyed town of Fleury. More than 100 years later the scars of war are highly visible. Go spend the day!
Alexandre Lyons (2 years ago)
The original museum was great, so when it was re done I was very worried. However there was no need. The new museum is excellent and well explained and with many individual soldiers contributions, with the likes of Charles Delvert as pictured. The only downside is where have the LiDAR maps gone of the Verdun battlefield?
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.