Private tour of the battlefields of Verdun from Paris in Van (2/7 travelers)
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About This Tour in Paris
Why Visit Paris?
Paris, the City of Light, is renowned for its art, culture, and romance. Home to iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, Paris offers world-class museums, exquisite cuisine, and charming neighborhoods. Experience the beauty of the Seine, explore historic districts, and indulge in French culture.
Getting to Paris
The easiest way to reach Paris is by flying into Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) or Orly Airport (ORY). The city is well-connected by public transportation, including trains, buses, and metro systems. Taxis and rideshare services are also readily available. Train connections from major European cities make Paris easily accessible by rail as well.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Admission tickets to the Verdun Memorial Museum Battlefield
- Admission tickets to Fort de Douamont
- Travel aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned Minivan (Maximum 6 travelers)
- Driver / guide (in French for this tour)
- Support for customers at their place of residence in Paris and the Paris region
What's Not Included
- Lunch
Cancellation Policy
Additional Information
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photo Gallery
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup Information
Pickup Option: Pickup available for all travelers
Pickup Time: 5 minutes before departure
Custom pickup locations may be available. Please contact the supplier for details.
Itinerary
Tour Itinerary
This stone monument is the work of the... 15 minutes
This stone monument is the work of the sculptor Barrois and the architect Schmitt. It pays tribute to all those who worked for the functioning of the Sacred Way between Bar-le-Duc and Verdun, a strategic axis, essential for the supply of troops with food and ammunition as well as for the evacuation of the wounded. Today helmeted markers mark out every kilometer of this road, baptized at the end of the war by Maurice Barrès, "Sacred Way" The monument consists of two parts: a wall in the shape of an arc of circle on which is represented a frieze representing in bas-relief the soldiers of the Sacred Way, associating the rail and the road. The frieze represents soldiers and transportations of the Sacred Way. We recognize: the noria of trucks (including Berliet CBA), the railway (with the Corpet-Louvet locomotive), horse-drawn convoys, transport of soldiers and ammunition, traffic regulators, the return of soldiers from the front, track maintenance.
The Douamont ossuary is a memorial containing the... 1 hour
The Douamont ossuary is a memorial containing the remains of French and German soldiers who died on the battlefield of Verdun. Through small exterior windows, you can see the skeletal remains of at least 130,000 unidentified fighters from two nations filling alcoves at the bottom edge of the building. Inside the ossuary, the ceiling and walls are partially covered with plaques bearing the names of French soldiers who died during the Battle of Verdun. It was built on the initiative of Charles Ginisty, bishop of Verdun. It has been designated "national necropolis", or "national cemetery". In front of the ossuary, the national necropolis of Douaumont brings together 16,142 graves of French soldiers, mainly Catholics, including a square of 592 stelae of Muslim soldiers. The military cemetery also contains two memorials respectively dedicated to soldiers of the Jewish and Muslim faiths.
The Fort de Douaumont was the largest and... 1 hour
The Fort de Douaumont was the largest and tallest fort on a crown of 19 large defensive works that had been built to protect the city of Verdun since the 1890s. In 1915, the French general staff concluded that even the best protected forts in Verdun could not withstand the bombardment of German gamma-ray guns of 420 mm. The fort, occupied by sixty French soldiers, was taken without a fight by the Germans on February 25, 1916, four days after the start of the Battle of Verdun. It will be occupied for 8 months by the German army, which will make it a shelter for its troops and an essential support point on the right bank of the Meuse to continue its offensive. The fort was not taken over until October 24, 1916 by French colonial troops. French General Pétain said it cost the lives of 100,000 French soldiers to retake Fort Douamont!
The village was destroyed in 1916 during the... 15 minutes
The village was destroyed in 1916 during the battle of Verdun and was not rebuilt. Since then, the town site has become an uninhabited place of remembrance. From June to August 1916, the German command launched several offensives on this part of the front. In two months, the village was taken and taken over 16 times by French and Germans. From July 13 to August 5, 1916, intense fighting took place around the ruined village. On the night of August 17-18, 1916, the colonial infantry regiment of Morocco launched an assault and definitively took over the village. Located in the Verdun sector, the village disappears completely due to the relentless shelling of French and German shells. In 1918, the village was declared "dead for France". It is one of the nine villages destroyed during the Battle of Verdun. The tormented relief of the ground of the commune still testifies to the enormous quantity of shells received.
Your driver guide will drop you off at the foot of Verdun Cathedral 30 minutes
Your driver guide will drop you off at the foot of Verdun Cathedral. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it was built from 990 according to the Romanesque-Rhenish plan. It is therefore the oldest in Lorraine and one of the oldest in Europe. It suffered several ravages in the 11th and 12th centuries, leading to the reconstruction of certain parts and the addition of others. From the 14th to the 16th century, the building was modified according to the Gothic style. After a fire in 1755 which caused it to lose two of its four bell towers, the cathedral was redesigned in baroque and rockery styles. Severely damaged by bombing during the First World War, it is again restored.
Built in downtown Verdun, this monument was inaugurated in 1929 20 minutes
Built in downtown Verdun, this monument was inaugurated in 1929. The 73 steps of the staircase lead to a crypt which houses the repertoires of the names of the soldiers holding the Verdun medal. At the top of the 30 meter high tower stands a warrior, leaning on his sword and looking east. A ceremony takes place every year on November 1 at the Victory Monument to welcome the Sacred Flame that burns under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Built in 1380 along the Meuse, it was... 10 minutes
Built in 1380 along the Meuse, it was one of the three monumental gates of the Grand Rempart de Verdun. Redesigned in 1690, it served as a military prison for the State from 1755 to 1860 before being bought by the city in 1889. It has been classified as a historic monument since March 21, 1881.
The bayonet trench is a monument commemorating the Battle of Verdun in 1916 15 minutes
The bayonet trench is a monument commemorating the Battle of Verdun in 1916. The site was classified as a historic monument in 1922 and recognized as a center of national memory in March 2014. The most common account of the bayonet trench is that, in June 1916, soldiers preparing for the offensive were covered by waves of earth from the impact of shells falling all around their trench. Bayonet rifles protruding from the ground testify to this event, their owners having been buried with weapons in hand. In December 1920, the President of the Republic, Alexandre Millerand, went to Bois Morchée, on the territory of the commune of Douaumont (Meuse), to inaugurate the memorial of what will henceforth be called the "Bayonet Trench" .
To end this very moving day, you will... 1 hour
To end this very moving day, you will visit the "Memorial Museum of Verdun" in Fleury-devant-Douaumont. The route of the new Memorial places the visitor at the heart of the battlefield. The ground floor is dedicated to the experience of combatants on the front line and on the first floor, visitors enter the environment of battle and the contexts of countries at war. The new Memorial was reborn in February 2016. The work carried out for more than two years brought new strength to the original building, while opening it outwards with: The installation of an additional floor of more than 600 m² covering the building. It houses an interactive space, a 175 m² temporary exhibition hall, the documentation center, the educational room, a relaxation area and two belvedere terraces on the battlefield.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cancellation policy?
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
How do I book this tour?
Click the "Book Now" button on this page to complete your reservation through Viator's secure booking platform. You'll receive instant confirmation via email.
Is this tour suitable for all ages?
Please check the age requirements and physical fitness level requirements listed in the tour details above. Some tours may have age restrictions or require a certain level of physical fitness.
