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Citadelle organized to accommodate 2,000 soldiers in galleries 4 km long at Verdun
The citadel, first built in the 17th century and subsequently rebuilt by Vauban, played a key role in the Battle of Verdun. Its kilometers of galleries, dug in 1886-1893, sheltered thousands of men from bombardment. A logistical base, both feared and comforting, it was organized to accommodate 2,000 soldiers in galleries some 4 km long (7 km in 1918). The tour was completely redesigned in 2021. Three spaces take you back a century, both inside and outside the citadel walls.
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Opening time and information on THE UNDERGROUND CITADEL
Adult 15 €, family pass (4 pers.) 40 €. PMR access.
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Built in 1624, Vauban chose to reinforce it and link it to the defensive system he had just created around the city of Verdun. Under the orders of the military engineer Séré de Rivières, 19 forts were built around Verdun. In addition, from 1886 to 1893, 4 km of tunnels were dug under the citadel to accommodate men and equipment in case of conflict. In 1916, it became a logistical base of vital importance for the course of the battle. Nearly 10,000 men lived there and worked in all the services of an army in the field: telephone exchange, food and ammunition storehouse, kitchens, hospital, bakery with a production of 28,000 rations per day and even a theater.
the underground Citadel of Verdun: Discover a unique historical experience in augmented reality.
Live a new experience of visit in the underground galleries of the Citadel, in a wire-guided gondola. Equipped with augmented reality glasses, thanks to projections and special effects, dive into the memory of the Citadel and share moments lived by the soldiers.
"On September 13, 1916, the early morning dawns on the Citadel of Verdun. The grayish dawn is streaked with raindrops. A small group of exhausted poilus, coming from Fleury, is heading towards Verdun. Louis, Camille, Emile, and Jean have been ordered to come down from the front and go to the Citadel to take part in a ceremony they don't know about..."
Four men, four different destinies, four visions of the war to illuminate, through their eyes and their emotions, the history of a conflict that will haunt the collective memory for a long time..
Play the role of soldier Jean. Meet his comrades to share the intense life of the Citadelle Souterraine and relive the events that made this place a symbol, such as the Choice of the Unknown Soldier.
In Verdun, cross the barriers of time.
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Members' reviews on THE UNDERGROUND CITADEL
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
Cordialement,
Clémence
Ich sag nur Danke.
Best regards,
Clémence
Indeed, the month of January is traditionally the month when the various sites of Verdun and its Battlefields, as the Underground Citadel, are closed. Throughout the year, they are open to the public every day of the week. They therefore require maintenance, which is carried out in January. This closure thus responds to a regulatory procedure and a concerted decision between the sites so that the discovery of the Destination is not degraded beyond the month of January. We believe that our sites are all complementary. The same concerted decision asks us to all be open for the entire Christmas holidays.
However, we understand your disappointment.
We still hope that you will keep good memories of your stay in Verdun.
Best regards,
Clémence
Cordialement,
Clémence
Nous étions 4 dans notre wagon.
Le casque était bien adapté et j ai pu garder mes lunettes de vue.
Bien se couvrir, il fait froid et quelques courants d air.
Nous sommes ravis que la visite de la Citadelle Souterraine ait su répondre à vos attentes.
En effet, la température intérieure ne dépasse pas les 10°C, il est préférable de s'habiller chaudement !
Cordialement,
Clémence