Verdun is a place where the Great War is still very much present—both in what you can see and what you can feel. The Belgian and French Ardennes played a pivotal role in both world wars. In Part 1, we explored the historical background of the Battle of Verdun.
Today, we take you on a powerful day trip past some of the key battlefield sites that still bear witness to the horror and heroism of World War I. You can explore the region at your own pace with our free self-guided car tour, available on the IZI Travel app—perfect for curious travellers who like to take the road less rushed.
We’ve marked our suggested route in the app—ideal for a one-day road trip from la trottinette. The region is easy to explore by car, with plenty of signage and parking near each location. Want to stretch your legs? Many of the stops are linked by short walking trails or trenches. It’s your call whether you take in everything or focus on a few key sites.
Your journey begins at the command Post of Colonel Driant – one of the first spots you’ll reach if you’re driving in from Lacuisine, and also one of the first hit during the battle. On this tiny plot of land, one square kilometre, 80,000 grenades (10,000 tons of explosives!) were launched in just one day. Driant’s small unit of chasseurs held off the Germans just long enough to give the French army time to prepare. Not far from here, a modest monument marks the spot. He had warned of the German attack. A haunting, lesser-known place worth stopping for—though signage is limited.
This site features both preserved and reconstructed trenches. From here, you can walk directly to Fort Douaumont through the trenches for a full immersion in the landscape of war. Bring sturdy shoes!
Fort Douaumont was the largest French fort in the area and played a central role in one of the most dramatic episodes of the battle. It became the logistical heart of the French defence effort—supporting the front lines with men, ammunition, and supplies. Today, the fort can be visited with an audio guide, which we highly recommend for truly absorbing the atmosphere of this imposing structure.
The role of the fortress during the war—and the story of its capture—is curious, to say the least.
At the start of World War I, German troops had decimated the Belgian forts of Namur, Liège, and Antwerp with their heavy mortars (the infamous Dicke Bertha). Convinced that static fortresses were obsolete, the French government had begun dismantling their own forts—during wartime. When the German attack came, Fort Douaumont was held by just 60 lightly armed, mostly older reservists whose main task was building maintenance.
The fort was captured almost without a fight. According to one of several accounts, Lieutenant Eugen Radtke and his men of the 6th Company, 24th Brandenburg Regiment, were the first to enter. Captain Haupt soon followed. They found the fort practically deserted and took control without resistance. The message they sent was brief and chilling: “Douaumont ist gefallen.”
The news shocked both nations. In Germany, church bells rang and children were given a day off school. In France, the loss was met with grief and disbelief. Not a single shot had been fired in the conquest, yet the fall of Douaumont would ultimately claim the lives of thousands of French soldiers in the months to come.
The story came full circle in October 1916. On the morning of the 24th, around 11:30, the French launched a bold assault on the fort. Troops advanced, climbed onto the superstructure, and broke in. But once again, the fort was nearly empty. A fire had broken out the day before, and the Germans, fearing an explosion in the ammunition stores, had quietly evacuated. Fort Douaumont changed hands for the second time—again, with barely a shot fired.
The Ossuary of Douaumont is perhaps the most emotional stop. Beneath this solemn monument rest the remains of 130,000 unidentified soldiers. The ossuary dates back to 1919 and was later transformed into the powerful symbol it is today, complete with tower, chapel, and cemetery. The scale of the sacrifice becomes painfully clear here.
Another highlight is the Mémorial de Verdun, a powerful museum located at the heart of the former battlefield, on the site of the destroyed Fleury-devant-Douaumont railway station. Through more than 2,000 objects and photographs—many never before displayed—you gain an intimate, often confronting perspective on the battle, seen through the eyes of both French and German soldiers.
Prefer to stay outside? The surrounding Memorial Walk offers a moving alternative, winding through the quiet landscape where so many lives were lost and remembered.
Hidden among the hills lies this small concrete casemate, built in 1917 to reinforce Fort de Souville. A short walk brings you to this unique machine-gun post—an interesting example of how the war adapted over time.
Another key fortress, Fort de Vaux witnessed intense combat, unlike Douaumont. The battle here was brutal. One of the most poignant details: the carrier pigeon sent from the fort to announce its fall to French High Command in Verdun managed to deliver the message—only to die from poison gas minutes later.
Today, Fort de Vaux can be visited both inside (ticketed) and outside (free). It’s a sobering site that offers a visceral sense of the horrors endured here.
Self-guided car tour
Free Audio Tour on IZI.TRAVEL
Download the GPX-file
Starting point
55100 Haumont-près-Samogneux, Frankrijk
Distance from Lacuisine
60 km – 55 min by car
Links
Tips
Verdun played a pivotal role in the Great War. To keep the memory alive, we created a blog series and a brand-new self-guided audio tour to explore the region and its war-scarred landscape. In Part 1, we shared the history of the Battle of Verdun. This post takes you on a day trip past forts, trenches, cemeteries, and monuments—silent witnesses to one of WWI’s fiercest battles. In Part 3, we’ll explore Verdun city itself.
Verdun isn’t just trenches and trauma—it’s also riverside walks, peaceful parks, and a city full of stories. In this final part of our Verdun series, we explore how the city rebuilt itself after war, with stops from our free audio tour and cultural gems not to miss.
Slate, sweat and stories! Dive underground in the Ardennes and uncover the secrets of this stony heritage – fun come rain or shine.
Explore the beauty of Belgian Luxembourg with hikes and adventures—health, happiness, and fun await all year! 🌍✨ Best wishes from la trottinette!
Got a tip, a travel story, or just want to say hello? Send us a message at experience [at] latrottinette.be, or connect with us on Facebook or Instagram. We love hearing from fellow explorers! Share your adventures with us by tagging @latrottinette.be or using the hashtag #latrottinetteexperience.
