Verdun Citadel in Meuse

Origin of the city of Verdun

Monument aux Enfants de Verdun Morts pour la France

Verdun holds a dual significance—it’s not only the name of a fortress but also synonymous with the deadliest battle of WWI. Situated near the borders of Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany, Verdun’s strategic location has long made it a coveted territory. Its origins trace back over 2,000 years to the Gaulish stronghold of Verdodunum.

Verdun rose to prominence in 843 AD during the division of Charlemagne’s empire among his grandsons, leading to the establishment of distinct kingdoms. These divisions, evolving over time, roughly delineated present-day France, Germany, and Lorraine.

Lothaire‘s portion, known as Lotharingia, encompassed what is now Lorraine. During the 14th to 16th centuries, Verdun held the status of a Free Imperial City within the Holy Roman Empire.

La Citadelle

The city’s fortifications date back to ancient times, but Marshal Vauban significantly expanded them with the construction of the Citadelle in the 17th century.

It remained a vital garrison town until the 18th century.

During the French Revolution, the Prussians briefly captured Verdun in their attempt to march on Paris.

However, their advance was halted at the Battle of Valmy on September 20, 1792.

Verdun faced another Prussian assault during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, where it valiantly held out as the last stronghold to surrender.

Despite the annexation of Alsace and part of Lorraine by Germany in the Treaty of Frankfurt on May 10, 1871, the Meuse region remained French, although Verdun now found itself a mere 45 kilometers from the German border.

To protect the region, ten defense forts were swiftly constructed around Verdun.

Porte Chaussée in Verdun — Porte Chaussée

Then, between 1880 and 1914, an additional 43 forts and strongholds were built within a 45-kilometer perimeter.

This extensive line of defense, anchored by the underground citadel of Verdun, featured key forts such as Douaumont and Vaux.

These forts played pivotal roles during the Battle of Verdun, which raged from February 21 to December 20, 1916.

Verdun became the focal point of this brutal conflict, where thousands of soldiers lost their lives. The Germans encircled the city on three sides, effectively isolating the citadel within a salient.

The Citadel open to the public

Verdun and its surrounding region draw in approximately 500,000 visitors annually, attracted by its rich military, religious, and historical heritage, as well as its impressive landmarks.

The historic Citadel of Verdun remains under the ownership of the French army.

Its 4 kilometers of underground galleries, initially dug between 1886 and 1893, were expanded to 7 kilometers during World War I.

This vast network housed facilities to accommodate up to 2000 soldiers, including ammunition and powder magazines, telegraph and telephone stations, water supply networks, as well as a mill, bakery, and kitchens.

Today, these galleries are open to the public for exploration.

Fortified gates

Monument à la Victoire et aux Soldats de Verdun

Verdun’s 14th century rampart has long gone, but several gates have remained.

The Porte du Châtelet, also known as Porte Noire or Porte Champenoise, dates back to the 12th century, with its machicolations added in the 14th-15th centuries. During WWI, it was widened to accommodate vehicle passage.
The Porte Chaussée, or Tour Chaussée, was constructed in 1380 and features two round twin towers. The round Tour de l’Islot once flanked the walkway along the river.
The horseshoe-shaped Tour du Champ suffered severe damage during the 1792 fighting of the French Revolution.
The Tour des Plaids, or Tour de la Plaidoiresse, is also horseshoe-shaped and faces the city to prevent attackers from seeking refuge inside. It derives its name from the hearings or plaids held in the nearby Sainte-Croix Church.
The Porte Saint-Victor was built in the late 17th century to replace a gate that had stood for 300 years.
Finally, the Porte Saint-Paul is the most recent addition, erected in 1877 for the railway line.

Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Verdun

Verdun, once a citadel and garrison town, also holds a remarkable religious legacy. Its cathedral, consecrated in 1147, stands as the oldest cathedral in Lorraine and the largest Romanesque cathedral in Eastern France.

Despite being rebuilt in Baroque style following a fire in 1775, numerous original architectural elements were uncovered during its post-WWI restoration.

Episcopal Palace and Hôtel de la Princerie

Robert de Cotte, the architect of Louis XV, constructed the Episcopal Palace in 1724. It stands as one of the most esteemed episcopal palaces in Lorraine and has served as the World Centre of Peace, Freedom, and Human Rights since 1994.

Dating back to the 16th century, the Hôtel de la Princerie was once the residence of the princier, or primecier, serving as the cathedral’s first archdeacon and second in importance after the bishop. Since 1932, it has housed the Museum of Art and History of the City of Verdun.

Verdun Memorials

Verdun erected several monuments to the memory of the soldiers who fell during the Great War.

The Monument à la Victoire et aux Soldats de Verdun, unveiled in 1929 by architect Leon Chesnay, stands on the site of the Collegiate Church of Magdalene in the heart of the city. It overlooks the Roman fortifications discovered in 1916, with a statue of Emperor Charlemagne dressed as a warrior, leaning on his sword and facing east.
Facing the Porte Chaussée is the Monument aux Enfants de Verdun Morts pour la France, created by architect Forest and sculptor Grange, unveiled in 1928. It portrays five soldiers representing different branches of the military, standing shoulder to shoulder to symbolize the Soldiers of Verdun’s motto: “On ne passe pas” (“They shall not pass”).
Gifted by the Netherlands in 1920, the Monument de la Hollande Amie stands as a testament to friendship between nations.
The Monument de la Voie Sacrée et de la Voie de la Liberté, situated at the western entrance to Verdun, marks the intersection of routes linking Verdun to Bar-le-Duc and Argonne.

Military cemeteries

Verdun stood at the heart of the battle that raged from February to December 1916, one of the deadliest conflicts of World War I.

The tragic toll of casualties left countless soldiers’ remains interred in the 19 national cemeteries of the region, including three within Verdun itself.

The Nécropole Nationale de Bevaux, opened in 1916, holds the graves of 3,107 soldiers from World War I and 485 from World War II.
Similarly, the Nécropole Nationale du Faubourg-Pavé, established in 1914, contains the graves of 5,722 soldiers from WWI, including 5,095 French, along with others from various nations. It also serves as the final resting place for 610 soldiers from WWII.
Within this cemetery lies Le Carré des 7 Inconnus, where seven soldiers were considered for the designation of the Unknown Soldier during a ceremony on November 10, 1920. The chosen Unknown Soldier’s remains were later interred beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Additionally, a monument dedicated to the victims of German barbarity during WWI and WWII stands at the entrance of the cemetery.
Lastly, the Nécropole Nationale de Glorieux, established in 1916, is the resting place for 4,246 soldiers from WWI, predominantly French, along with two British soldiers.

Other sites of the Battle of Verdun:
Sacred Way – Douaumont Ossuary and National Cemetery – Abri 320 – Bayonet Trench – Fort of Douaumont – Fleury-devant –Douaumont “Village Détruit – Maginot Monument in Fleury-devant-Douaumont