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Verdun – Douaumont Ossuary
The Douaumont Ossuary is one of the most significant war memorials in France, commemorating the horrors of the Battle of Verdun in 1916. As one of the longest and costliest battles of World War I, it resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties on both sides. The imposing structure was inaugurated in 1932 and houses the remains of approximately 130,000 unidentified French and German soldiers. Through small windows on the outside of the building, visitors can view the massive bone vaults, emphasizing the staggering scale of human loss. In front of the ossuary lies a vast national cemetery containing more than 16,000 individual graves of French soldiers. The central tower, known as the 'Lantern of the Dead,' stands 46 meters tall and casts a beam of light across the former battlefield at night. Today, the site serves as a powerful symbol of Franco-German reconciliation, famously marked by the historic handshake between Helmut Kohl and François Mitterrand in 1984.
- Location: Germany
- Top sights: Mémorial de Verdun 1914-1918 · Chapelle Notre-Dame de l'Europe · Fort de Souville
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Rain mm | 68 | 59 | 60 | 48 | 71 | 64 | 63 | 71 | 56 | 68 | 70 | 79 |
📋 Practical info
History & landmarks
ww1
1916–1916
Geography
Facts
- The foundation stone was laid in 1920 by Marshal Pétain.
- The interior vaults contain the remains of approx. 130,000 unidentified soldiers.
- The national cemetery in front covers an area of 144,000 square meters.
- The tower is 46 meters high and houses a bell weighing two tons.
- The Battle of Verdun lasted 300 days, from Feb 21 to Dec 18, 1916.
- The historic meeting between Kohl and Mitterrand took place here in 1984.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Verdun – Douaumont Ossuary (10)
Poudrière de Fleury
The Fleury powder magazine is a ruin in Verdun.
Monument commémoratif de André Maginot
The André Maginot memorial monument is a memorial.
Fort Souville
Fort Souville is a ruin in Verdun.
Batterie de l'Hôpital
The hospital battery is a ruin in Verdun.
Les 4 cheminés
Les 4 cheminés is a monument in Verdun.
Ancien cimetière militaire des casernes Marceau
The old military cemetery of the Marceau barracks is a cemetery in the Meuse department, France.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
What is the Douaumont Ossuary?
What does the Verdun Memorial show?
Can you visit the forts?
How much time should I plan for the visit?
Is the terrain freely accessible?
Verdun – Douaumont Ossuary: where is it located?
Verdun – Douaumont Ossuary: what is there to see?
Verdun – Douaumont Ossuary: when is the best time to visit?
Verdun – Douaumont Ossuary: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
