Verdun, France XXX

The land on top of the fort was all bumpy from the bombing.

Verdun, France XXIX

Verdun, France XXVIII

Verdun, France XXVII

Verdun, France XXVI

Verdun, France XXV

Verdun, France XXIV

Pigeon House

Verdun, France XXIII

The Infirmary.

Verdun, France XXII

Verdun, France XXI

Verdun, France XX

Verdun, France XIX

Sleeping quarters.

Verdun, France XVIII

Verdun, France XVII

Our second stop in the countryside around Verdun was Fort de Vaux. This was an underground fort used during WWI by the French infantry. It was captured by the Germans in the Battle of Verdun. It was recaptured by French infantry on November 2, 1916. The next few photos are all from Fort de Vaux.

Verdun, France XVI

One can only wonder what was dug up here? Something which hadn't exploded yet? Walking around these forests is a bit scary since the ground still contains buried unexploded bombs. They tell you not to leave the trails.

Verdun, France XV

Souville bunker.

Verdun, France XIV

Lion's feet.

Verdun, France XIII

Lion de Souville: a memorial to the men of the 130th Division who fought as part of the Souville Garrison.

Verdun, France XII

Verdun, France XI

There is something about this photo that appeals to me. Maybe because it reminds me of the Beatles Abbey Road.

Verdun, France X

Verdun, France IX

Verdun, France VIII

WWI memorial.

Verdun, France VII

WWI memorial.

Verdun, France VI

Verdun, France V

Verdun has it's very own mini Jet d'Eau!

Verdun, France IV

Monument in the middle of town.

Verdun, France III

New: matching underwear!

Verdun, France II

Inner workings of the drawbridge.

Verdun, France

After our fun in the champagne region, we drove to Verdun, France where we spent a week seeing WWI sites and learning more about that war. It rained quite a bit on us which seemed to add to the depressing atmosphere of the region. There was a heaviness to this area that is difficult to explain, but it is as if they have never quite recovered from the war. It was a very interesting trip and we are glad we did it, but it is not a place we are anxious to return to (the first place in France we've said that).

Hautvillers, France XXXII

The church where Dom Pérignon is buried.