Fort Douaumont
Fort Douaumont
4.5
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4.5
1,183 reviews
Excellent
655
Very good
446
Average
61
Poor
16
Terrible
5
Carel T
Vlaardingen, The Netherlands15 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
The fort, apparently the largest near Verdun, is set within the hills. The whole complex was built underground. You have access to the middle part of the fort, where the barracks were situated.
The complex is indeed large with long corridors to the different rooms and parts of the fort. Its age is also visible with water seeping through the roof.
On top of the fort, standing on the hill, you can view the multiple cannon towers.
There is no option to view rooms in the outer ring of the fort, unfortunately.
Nice element is the memorial corner for the German soldiers.
The complex is indeed large with long corridors to the different rooms and parts of the fort. Its age is also visible with water seeping through the roof.
On top of the fort, standing on the hill, you can view the multiple cannon towers.
There is no option to view rooms in the outer ring of the fort, unfortunately.
Nice element is the memorial corner for the German soldiers.
Written 5 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jaimeelsabio
Maryland5,095 contributions
June 2023 • Couples
Having visited a Maginot line fort earlier on the trip, we skipped going inside and just walked around the exterior. The bunkers and gun ports were very interesting. We probably on walked around for 25 minutes. I found the trench remains along the road leading to the fort more interesting.
Written 1 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian W
Gosport, UK223 contributions
July 2017 • Friends
An amazing visit and story about the Fort, all told at your own pace using your own headphones and hand held video. The exterior grounds show the devastation poured on the Fort during the battle.
Written 11 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rosebridget25
Centerport, NY18 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
We had just visited the Maginot Line fortifications at Ouvrage Hackenberg the day before, which was built between 1929 and 1932. It was interesting to see the similarities and differences between this fort built around 1890 and the newer more advanced Ouvrage Hackenberg, which was captured in June 1940 by German troops. The audio tour was informative, and the people behind the desk were friendly and helpful. Be prepared for cold and wet conditions inside the fort. The fort and surrounding area, with trenches still visibly scarring the landscape, a great museum about WWI, and a beautiful and sobering cemetery are all worth a visit. If you are interested in WWI and history in general then this is a must see.
Written 4 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bsta23
Paradise Valley, AZ45 contributions
June 2017 • Friends
My wife and I toured Fort Douaumont with a private guide which isn't absolutely necessary, but it did enhance our visit. This strategic hilltop fortification on the Right Bank of the Meuse River flowing through Verdun is an incredible testament to the viciousness of the 300 day battle that took place here in 1916 - The largest and longest battle of WW1 between the French and German forces. The fort interior is in remarkably good condition in spite of the horrendous artillery bombardment that it sustained and is a moving reminder of the suffering of the bloodshed borne by both the Germans and the French. If your a student of the Great War or simply interested in the history of this great battle I can't imagine there being a more tangible site to visit.
Written 3 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EDD1967_83
Santa Barbara, CA495 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
Tour this massive structure that the French built after losing the Franco-Prussian War. This was to provide impregnable defense against any future German attack. Impressive are the before and after photos of the fort. MILLIONS of artillery rounds were fired by the Germans before they successfully took the fort. Of course it was a small group of Germans led by a sergeant who actually took the fort by stealth. Ironically, or perhaps not unexpectedly, the officers got the credit, not the sergeant. When you tour the inside of the fort, with an entrance fee, be sure to dress warmly and expect to have some water drip on you at some point. You may either take audio guide or paper guides to lead you around and explain what you're seeing. A very moving experience.
Written 22 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AFH1809
Winslow, UK451 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
1st point: Make sure you buy a joint ticket for Fort de Vaux on entry, another interesting visit. 2nd point: Do take up the audio guide offer, it is very good, though you do need to keep your attention to follow the correct route. A fantastic job has been done here to make this both informative and evocative. You get some sense as to how terrible conditions must have been defending this fort, alongside a well constructed tour. You can spend a good amount of time here if you enjoy photography, with many unusual sites. There is plenty of dripping water and water underfoot, so come dressed accordingly, this adds to the feeling of empathy for the original inhabitants.
Written 2 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mike r
Colac, Australia148 contributions
Sept 2019
This is a great way to learn why war really is hell and no one wins, but everyone looses. A great experience for a really low price. If do not know what WW1 was about this will help.
Written 18 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your visit
Written 20 September 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Knot2Worry
Edgewater, FL151 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
Preservation and restoration of this fort is extensive and well done. The audio guide is detailed and informative. All worth the entrance fee.
However, much more work needs to be done to keep this for the future. The amount of water incursion is forming stalactites and stalagmites. The damp and somewhat musty environment may not be a place for those with breathing problems.
Having a jacket or sweater and socks is recommended.
However, much more work needs to be done to keep this for the future. The amount of water incursion is forming stalactites and stalagmites. The damp and somewhat musty environment may not be a place for those with breathing problems.
Having a jacket or sweater and socks is recommended.
Written 5 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your visit
Written 11 September 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
NavalHistory
Melrose, MA17 contributions
July 2019 • Couples
We toured this as a group, about 1/2 history buffs and about 1/2 not. The site is moving to those of us who knew the history of the battle and the fort.
The grounds are stunningly scarred over a hundred years after the battle of Verdun, reflecting the tremendous bombardments sustained by the fort. The surrounding territory is stitched by trenches and bunkers.
Beware of territory marked as "live firing range" for the French Army.
The non history buffs found the tour of the old fort "creepy", but the nearby town of Verdun made up for that.
The grounds are stunningly scarred over a hundred years after the battle of Verdun, reflecting the tremendous bombardments sustained by the fort. The surrounding territory is stitched by trenches and bunkers.
Beware of territory marked as "live firing range" for the French Army.
The non history buffs found the tour of the old fort "creepy", but the nearby town of Verdun made up for that.
Written 4 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback
Written 20 August 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Het is afhankelijk van de leeftijd; hele kleintjes zullen er niets aan hebben maar het is niet schokkend voor kinderen
Written 24 July 2019
Hi. Can you visit the grounds of Fort Douaumont before it opens? I know we can't go "inside", but could we park and walk the grounds? Unfortunately, we have to get to the airport so we won't be able to wait until they open. Thanks.
Written 25 April 2019
I do not recall a gate on the road nor at the entry. Also, I do not believe there are any fences around it to restrict your access.
Written 26 April 2019
What do you wear? We are arriving June 19, not sure long sleeves? Capris or jeans? Jacket? It will be over 90 F. Thanks Trudy
Written 8 May 2018
I'd wear jeans and plan for a light jacket; it rains every other hour.
Written 9 May 2018
I've heard there is a joint ticket for both Fort Douaumont and Fort Vaux, which I am interested in. If you buy a joint ticket do you need to visit both sites on the same day? We wish to visit each fort on separate days. Many thanks
Written 2 February 2018
I am reasonably sure that you can go to one fort a day. In fact, I'd say it's a good idea to split the days up as there's a pretty big emotional load at each place.
Written 3 February 2018
Bonjour je compte me rendre sur le site au mois d'avril en famille mais je possède un petit chien puis je m'y rendre avec lui ? Merci de votre réponse.
Written 16 March 2017
Bonsoir,
Je n'ai vu aucune interdiction concernant les animaux
Cordialement
Written 16 March 2017
Buenos días a todos.
Soy Canguelu de Tripadvisor y estoy preparando un viaje a Verdun.
A ver si me podeis ayudar:
Cuantos días necesito para ver todos los monumentos del recinto de Verdún?
Creo que son unos ocho incluyendo el Fuerte, el cementerio, el memorial, el osario...etc.etc
Valdría con 1 o mejor 2 ?
Written 12 October 2016
Hola, buenos días.
Estaba escribiendo la respuesta y me han interrumpido. Como no sé si te he respondido, vuelvo a intentarlo.
En un único día hicimos un recorrido circular por los alrededores de Verdún, visitando:
- Memorial de Verdún (al menos dos horas).
- Villa de Fleury, "mort pour la France" (una hora).
- Osario de Douamont, una hora y media incluyendo el vídeo de 15-20 minutos que se muestra en el interior.
- Fuerte de Douamont, hora y media.
- Trinchera de las bayonetas, 20 minutos.
En otro día visitaría:
- El mayor cementerio militar norteamericano de Europa.
- El antiguo ayuntamiento de Souilly, a 20 km de Verdún en la Voie Sacrée, que fue el centro de operaciones y cuartel general de 4 generales, desde Pétain a Pershing. Hay una exposición gratuíta que merece la pena y ofrece mucha información sobre la vía sagrada. Abierto desde las 10:00, pero conviene consultar el horario de apertura.
Visitaría también el propio memorial de la Voie Sacrée.
- La zona alemana del frente.
- El propio Verdún.
Puede ser buena idea acercarse por la oficina de turismo de Verdún la tarde de vuestra llegada para que os proporcionen algún mapa y podáis situar todos estos lugares.
Buena viaje!!!
Written 14 October 2016
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