Verdun

Verdun, a sub-prefecture of the Meuse department in the Grand Est region, is inseparable from the First World War and the 1916 battle that bears its name. The surrounding battlefield retains numerous remnants, including the Douaumont Ossuary, Fort de Vaux, Fort de Douaumont and the Trench of Bayonets, all visited year-round as sites of remembrance. The Verdun Memorial museum offers an educational insight into the history of the conflict. The town centre, crossed by the River Meuse, preserves older heritage too, with Notre-Dame Cathedral, the former Bishop's Palace and the Porte Chaussée, a remnant of the medieval fortifications. The underground Citadel, carved into the rock, allows visitors to explore galleries once used during the war. Verdun is also known for its sugared almond sweets, a local speciality made for centuries. The town serves as a convenient base for exploring the Meuse valley, with its rolling countryside and rural villages. It draws visitors with an interest in history, remembrance and twentieth-century European military heritage.