Douaumont Ossuary

Douaumont Ossuary is the largest war memorial in France. Beneath its long nave and lantern tower lie the bones of around 130,000 unidentified French and German soldiers.

Getting there

By car from Verdun (~10 km) via the D913; on-site parking. No public transport.

History

Built between 1920 and 1932 at the initiative of Monsignor Ginisty, Bishop of Verdun, it overlooks the national cemetery and its 16,000 crosses. The 46 m tower houses a “lantern of the dead”.

Culture & stories

Cloister, documentary film and viewing platform: the site is best visited together with the nearby Verdun Memorial.

Location