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A view of the Verdun Cathedral Notre Dame and its cloister

Things to do in  Verdun

Out of the trenches

Often preceded by the words “Battle of,” Verdun isn’t just wartime history—although one of the bloodiest battles of World War I, the Battle of Verdun, was fought here for 11 months in 1916. The battlefields and trenches are open to visitors, and much of the city was restored following the war, but part of the medieval town walls, the Châtel Gate, still stands. With plenty of things to do for history buffs, the town is also now catering to food lovers, thanks to chefs showcasing the best cuisine from Lorraine, including baba au rhum and dragée (candy-covered almonds).

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Top 6 attractions in Verdun

All about Verdun

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When to visit

The battlefields of Verdun can be visited at any time of year. In June and July, every Friday and Saturday evening plays host to a vast sound and light show with a cast of 300 actors. A tribute to the fallen during the Battle of Verdun, “From Flames to Light,” is a truly immersive experience. The town has a climate typical of Northern France—moderately hot summers and mild, wet winters.

Getting around

Verdun is compact and easy to explore on foot, but booking a tour is the best way to visit the battlefields. The memorial museum is a 20-minute drive out of town, and tours typically include visits to the fortifications, trenches, ruined villages, cemeteries, and ossuary, with explanations of how history unfolded from trained guides.

Traveler tips

Visiting the battlefields is a sobering experience and essential to understanding how history has shaped Verdun, but take time to see how the town has rebuilt itself today. Verdun Cathedral has been beautifully preserved and restored; 2008 saw the opening of a vast swimming pool complex that attracts locals and tourists alike, and for sweet tooths, the Dragée Factory is unmissable, the production point of Verdun’s famous sugared almonds.

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People Also Ask
Q:What is Verdun famous for?
A:

Verdun is famous as the site of the Battle of Verdun, one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the First World War, lasting 11 months in 1916. The wartime memorial and ossuary pay tribute to more than 100,000 fallen French and German soldiers.

Q:How can I visit Verdun?
A:

Tours run from Paris to visit the Verdun battlefields in a day. The closest city to Verdun is Metz, an hour away by road, and Verdun town also has a train station. Since the main sights in Verdun are spread out (the battlefield is 20 minutes from town), it’s advisable to visit on an organized tour.

Q:What is there to do around Verdun?
A:

Metz, an hour away, has an immense cathedral, many art galleries, and Medieval fortifications. Just over an hour in the other direction is Reims, the capital of Champagne, where French royals were crowned in the past. You can also taste France’s most famous fizzy export.

Q:What is the history of Verdun?
A:

Although made infamous by the 11-month bloodshed during WW1, Verdun’s history is much older. The citadel dates back to the 16th century. Much of Verdun was rebuilt after the First World War, but there are plenty of older sites of interest, including the train station designed in the 19th century by Eiffel Tower architect Gustave Eiffel.

Q:Can you visit the Verdun battlefield?
A:

Yes. Since they’re outside Verdun town, booking a tour is easiest, either departing from Verdun or even Reims or Paris. Tours often include the ossuary, trenches, old fortifications, and wartime memorials, as well as the battlefield, and many tours are flexible to allow you to focus on the sites that most interest you.

Q:Is Verdun worth visiting?
A:

Yes, Verdun is absolutely worth visiting for anyone interested in 20th-century history. The battlefields and memorials are a harrowing reminder of one of the darkest moments in European history, and the sound and light show, held on Fridays and Saturdays in June and July, is exceptionally informative.

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