The Citadelle souterraine offers an unusual perspective on Verdun’s fortress history: visitors explore part of the underground galleries in a remote-controlled cabin and with an augmented reality headset. This brings not only the historic site into focus, but also a modern way of presenting it. As technical details and access conditions may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before your visit.
Fortress history across several periods
The Citadelle et abbaye Saint-Vanne partially occupies the site of a Benedictine abbey founded in the 10th century. At the end of the 17th century, Vauban strengthened the strategic area. The site therefore brings together the history of a monastic foundation and later military fortifications. This lets you explore Verdun’s past across different periods rather than reducing the city’s history to a single era.
Another distinctive structure is the Tour des Plaids. Built in the 14th century, it forms part of the Grand Rempart de Verdun and is also known as the Tour du Puty. The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Verdun is considered one of the oldest cathedrals in Europe and dates from 990. For a comparison across periods, the cathedral provides an older reference point than the 14th-century tower; together, they reveal different stages in the history of the city’s buildings.
Underground galleries and museum collections
The Musée de la Princerie has been housed in a 16th-century hôtel particulier since 1932. Its collections present Verdun’s history from prehistoric times to the eve of the First World War. Visitors can also see significant archaeological evidence from prehistoric, Celtic and Gallo-Roman times. The museum thus combines a broad historical perspective with specific finds from three early periods.
If you are planning your visit around a particular theme, there are two different options: the Citadelle souterraine takes you into part of the underground galleries in a remote-controlled cabin with an augmented reality headset. The Musée de la Princerie, by contrast, offers an overview of the city’s history through its collections. If you are especially interested in architecture, you can also use the dates of the cathedral and the Tour des Plaids as a timeline.
Green space, route and dragée tradition
The Parc Japiot was designed for walks and relaxation in a green setting. It offers a different focus from the historic buildings and museum collections: here, the emphasis is on walking and spending time outdoors. If you want your visit to include more than city history, it is a separate way to shape your stay.
The Voie Verte also adds a longer route to your plans. In Verdun, it connects the municipalities of Samogneux and Bras-sur-Meuse and extends for 27 kilometres. Cyclists can make this route a focus of their visit.
The dragée tradition is also part of the area’s local character. Maison Braquier continues the confection’s artisanal production. Usine Dragées Braquier offers individual visitors audio-guided tours in French, English and German. This lets you include a local craft tradition in your interests for the stay, alongside history and architecture.
When deciding how to spend your stay in Verdun-Sur-Meuse, the contrast is useful: the citadel, tower, cathedral and museum introduce different chapters of the city’s history, while Parc Japiot and the Voie Verte offer other ways to spend time, from a walk to a longer route. If you are looking for a hotel, you can then decide whether cultural discoveries or time outdoors should take priority.
Discover more destinations: Buxières-Sous-Les-Côtes, Vacherauville, Cousances-Les-Forges, Ménil-La-Horgne, Damvillers, Beaufort En Argonne, Bonnet, Saint-Mihiel
For the broader travel overview: Meuse.
