Sunday, December 31, 2017

Verdun, France XXX

Fort de Vaux, Verdun, France
The land on top of the fort was all bumpy from the bombing.

Monday, December 25, 2017

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Monday, December 18, 2017

Verdun, France XVII

Fort de Vaux, Verdun, France
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.

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Verdun, France XVI

Souville, Verdun, France
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.

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Verdun, France XIII

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

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Verdun, France XI

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

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Friday, December 8, 2017

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Verdun, France V

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

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Verdun, France IV

Verdun, France
Monument in the middle of town.

Monday, December 4, 2017

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Verdun, France II

Verdun, France
Inner workings of the drawbridge.

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Verdun, France

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).

Friday, December 1, 2017

Hautvillers, France XXXII

Hautvillers, France
The church where Dom PĂ©rignon is buried.