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.

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Details

Founded: 1967
Category: Statues in France

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

sirjaap (3 years ago)
Very interesting place to learn about WW I. Highly recommend going to Vauquois afterwards to see the battlefield in its original state after.
Jaap Jan (3 years ago)
Very interesting place to learn about WW I. Highly recommend going to Vauquois afterwards to see the battlefield in its original state after.
Jeroen Kaijser Bots (3 years ago)
Sets the mood for visiting Verdun. A MUST SEE.
Teresa Deverill (3 years ago)
Moving museum commemorating tragedy. EXCELLENT Covid spacing and care. I felt safe visiting in unsafe times. The museum itself provided sobering context of lives lived at Verdun... from soldier diaries that you can read to the gear they had with them. As with many museums I didn't fully feel a story but rather bits of information tossed together like a random history salad. I give them props for highlighting the Black men (from African colonies) who died fighting France and Germany's war. The museum has a few problems with sound, but they seemed to be working on cabling today. It may have been a blip.
Barna Kéthelyi (3 years ago)
Modern visual elements and objective facts that triggers strong feelings to experience the everyday life and feelings of the soldiers in front service
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