WWIFort de Douaumont

During WWI and the Battle of Verdun the Fort de Douaumont was the sight of heaving fighting and was bombed repeatably. Construction on the Fort de Douaumont started in 1885 and finished in 1913. The basic fort was finished by the 1890s and after this there were many enhancements and adaptations. When construction stopped, the Fort de Douaumont was the biggest and highest fort in the Verdun region. Today the fort is surrounded by bomb craters and vegetation. That is, the fort is much as it must of looked after WWI.

The Fort de Douaumont fell into German hands on February 25th 1916. It was retaken on October 24th 1916, in part by colonial troops from Morocco and Senegal. Today near the Fort de Douaumont and the Douaumont Ossuary is a memorial dedicated to Muslim soldiers.

You can visit (€4 adult) the inside of the fort and view two of the three levels. You can also walk on the fort grounds for free. The top of the fort has nice views of the surrounding countryside. There is also a path through the woods between the Fort de Douaumont and the destroyed village of Douaumont, that makes for a nice walk.

The Fort de Douaumont is near the destroyed village of Douaumont and the Douaumont Ossuary. The fort is off the D913 road, follow signs Fort de Douaumont.

Related Link:
The Fort of Douaumont - Office de Tourisme de Verdun

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