The best walks and hikes around Eix

A very beautiful and interesting monument.

The Ossuary of Douaumont is an impressive memorial that holds the remains of more than 130,000 unknown French and German soldiers who died during the Battle of Verdun (1916). The bones are visible through small windows in the base – a confronting reminder of the horrors of war. In front of the ossuary is the Nécropole nationale de Douaumont, the largest French military cemetery of the First World War, with 16,142 graves, including a Muslim and Jewish plot. The complex was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023.

Since 2006, a monument has stood on the hill of Douaumont in memory of the 30,000 Muslim soldiers who died for France during the First World War. Inaugurated by President Jacques Chirac, it consists of a semicircular gallery with Arab architectural elements. In the middle is a column with the inscription: “À la mémoire des soldats musulmans morts pour la France”. The monument recognizes the diversity of the French army and honors the contribution of soldiers from North Africa and other parts of the then French empire.

The Mémorial de Verdun, located near the ruined village of Fleury-devant-Douaumont, is a leading museum and commemoration site for the Battle of Verdun (1916). The museum displays more than 2,000 objects and uses authentic objects, photographs and audiovisual installations to show how French and German soldiers experienced this battle – in the exact same place where they fought.

The Lion of Souville Symbol of resistance at the gates of Verdun; This impressive monument, unveiled on 1 October 1922, stands on the site of the former Sainte-Fine chapel and commemorates the fallen of the 130th French Infantry Division. Designed by animal sculptor and veteran René Paris, the statue depicts a dying Bavarian lion – a powerful allegory for the defeat of the German troops and the heroic French defence during the Battle of Verdun. On 23 June 1916, the German attacks reached their peak at Fort de Souville, the last obstacle to the fall of Verdun. Thanks to the courage of a small French garrison led by Lieutenant Dupuy, the fort remained in French hands. The lion marks the extreme point of the German advance – the “last gate” to Verdun remained closed.

Casemate Pamart – Fort de Souville This concrete machine gun bunker was built in 1917 to reinforce the defences of Fort de Souville. Designed by Commandant Pamart, the Casemate offered an easy-to-install alternative to traditional gun turrets. Equipped with two Hotchkiss machine guns, it has a field of fire of 160°, with 14 cm of armour. Its compact size and robustness made it particularly suitable for use in the heavily damaged terrain around Verdun.

Built between 1876 and 1879 as part of the defensive belt around Verdun. The fort played a crucial role during the Battle of Verdun (1916), especially in July when German troops almost took it. Strategically located on a hill, it offered a view of the Meuse valley and was connected to other forts by telephone lines. The fort contained an underground shelter (abri sous roc) and a Bussière tower with a 155 mm gun. Despite heavy shelling, it remained in French hands and became a symbol of steadfastness.

The French 155mm artillery piece displayed in front of the entrance to the Verdun Memorial museum is the eye-catcher of the welcome.