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Published: August 29th 2006
Old City Gates
This was one of the turrets of the old wall in the middle ages, it was one of the major gatehouses.I decided that of all the historic places I wanted to see in France, and in my life in general, Verdun was very high if not top on the list. In 1916, the area near Verdun, a small town in Picardie became the seat of one of the largest battles in the history of the world.
As the lines stablilized and the infamous trenches became established, the German Chief of Staff, one Erich Von Falkenhayn, decided that the only way to win the war was not through traditional victories at strategic points, but rather through a complete and thourough destruction of the French army. He wrote to the Kaiser explaining this: "The string in France has reached breaking point. A mass breakthrough—which in any case is beyond our means—is unnecessary. Within our reach there are objectives for the retention of which the French General Staff would be compelled to throw in every man they have. If they do so the forces of France will bleed to death."
Verdun was one such objective, as a stronghold that was traditionally important strategically (and had served such a role in past conflicts), Falkenhayn assumed the French Chief of Staff would throw as
City Walls
A small extant section of the medieval wall. much of his army in there to ensure that the line held there. More importantly, the population of Germany would allow for a much greater depletion in its army without causing Germany to need to surrender.
The end result was, as Falkenhayn predicted, an egregious loss of life on both sides. While technically a French victory, the world now considers it only a travesty. I was fortunate in that I made it to Verdun on the 90th anniversary of the battle, so the town had many exhibits about it and such. Unfortunately the town was not very accomidating towards people without cars or lots of money, so I missed a lot of the battlefield away from the city. However, I did get to see a lot about the town that I did not know about, such as the remnants of it from the Middle Ages, which were quite interesting.
Another very noteworthy place in Verdun is the medieval cathedral. Parts of it are as old as 900s, and there is a map inside noting every architectual addition and change. It has a cloister included as well, which you can visit. It was very moving. The nearby former bishop's
Canals
This is part of the river Meuse that was ran through the canals, originally for milling. palace is also now the peace museum. Also very much worth seeing.
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Ben Hahn
non-member comment
le merde
Hey guys. You rock. Its too bad the bike place was closed. I suggest you go situtationist and liberate some then give them to some orphans when you leave. The medieval wall is cool, but whats with the fence. Heck, in China they let you poop on the wall. French are so stuck up about their walls. Anyway, your pictures are great. Keep sending them.