Fort Douaumont

About

The fort of Douaumont, briefly called fort Gérard, is a fortified building located in the commune of Douaumont-Vaux (département de la Meuse), in the commune of Douaumont. This is one of the forts of Verdun's stronghold, part of the River Séré system. Built between 1884 and 1886 and modernized between 1901 and 1913, the fort was one of the emblematic places of the Battle of Verdun in 1916: taken by German troops in February, it was taken over by the French in October of the same year.

Since the end of World War I, its ruins have attracted tourists; it has been classified as a historical monument since 1970. Since September 20, 2023, Douaumont Fort has been a World War I funerary and memorial site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.