Mémorial de Verdun

Over het museum

The Mémorial de Verdun was built on the site of the former station of Fleury-devant-Douaumont, one of the villages destroyed during the 1916 battle. It arose from the initiative of the National Committee for the Remembrance of Verdun, chaired by the writer Maurice Genevoix, which wanted a place where the battle could be explained. The foundation stone was laid in 1963, and the building was inaugurated on 17 September 1967. At first it served mainly as a place of memory for veterans.

In 2006 the museum set up a scientific committee to strengthen its role as a research centre. After the death of the last poilu, it was judged too austere and closed at the end of 2013 for renovation and an extension of 1,900 m². It reopened on 21 February 2016, for the centenary of the battle, with a more educational scenography.

The current route presents the battle from the point of view of French and German soldiers, with over 2,000 collection objects, audiovisual displays and interactive terminals. On the ground floor, a large 100 m² model-screen evokes the battlefield; the floor devoted to the rear front and health services is followed by an upper level with panoramic terraces, virtual reality and a temporary exhibition space. The Mémorial is the gateway to the battlefield and to the Douaumont and Vaux forts.

Hoogtepunten

• Broken 100 m² screen evoking the 1916 battlefield
• More than 2,000 collection objects
• Trucks and guns of the Voie Sacrée
• Virtual reality headsets and panoramic terraces
• Franco-German route, texts translated into English and German
• Starting point for the Douaumont and Vaux forts

Vaste collectie

• Parcours permanent du Mémorial de Verdun – The route presents the 1916 battle as seen by French and German soldiers, with over 2,000 objects, audiovisual displays and interactive terminals.

Opgericht

1967

Beheerder

Établissement public Mémorial de Verdun – Champ de bataille (conseil d’administration présidé par le président du Département de la Meuse)

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

Gratis toegang: 31 December 2026 (all sites)

Reduced rates and free admission require proof at the desk. Admission is also free for journalists and ICOM card holders. Accepted: Museums-PASS-Musées, Pass Patrimoine (free entry under its conditions) and Pass 14-18 (€4 reduction at the Mémorial). Payment by card, cash (up to €300), ANCV Chèques-Vacances, Chèque Culture and Lire, or Pass Culture; there is no cash machine on site.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet: geen informatie
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
• Hulphonden welkom: geen informatie
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The Mémorial is accessible to people with reduced mobility, with elevators; two wheelchairs are available for visitors. Pushchairs are allowed on the route.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
• Kinderwagenvriendelijk

Quiz on the permanent route for children from age 7; family package and free entry under 8. Pushchairs are allowed on the route.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The Mémorial is about 10 minutes by car from Verdun, following the signs for “Champ de bataille”. From the A4: exit 30 “Voie Sacrée” from Paris and Reims, exit 31 “Verdun” from Strasbourg and Metz.

Service & horeca

• Café
• Museumwinkel
• Wifi

Fast-food café (sandwiches, paninis, salads, pastries, ice cream), open 10:00 to 17:30 in high season and 10:00 to 16:30 in low season; booking advised for groups of more than 20. Large bookshop on the Great War. Free Wi-Fi throughout the museum. Toilets reserved for museum visitors.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur
• Zakelijke evenementen

Tot 120 personen.

Auditorium with 120 seats, teaching room with 30 places, café; cocktails, dinners, working days and private guided tours are possible.

Je bezoek plannen