Flames of war normandy beach4/11/2024 ![]() įor some less-than-light entertainment with a striking message, take in the extraordinary spectacle that is Des Flammes à la Lumière (“From the Flames… to the Light”) in Verdun. It is a stark example of the brutality of the Somme offensive and the subsequent land scarification. SCARRED LANDSCAPESĢ5km northwest of Péronne near La Boisselle is the 21m-deep Lochnagar crater (called La Grande Mine on road signs), which was formed when 27 tonnes of explosives were detonated by the British on July 1, 1916, after tunnelling under German lines. ![]() Today, visitors don special goggles and slip into the shoes of one of the four soldiers who were ordered to come down from the front and join the Citadel, with sound, projections and special effects combining with augmented reality to recreate their experiences. Protected from heavy bombardment, it was of primary importance in the 1916 battle. The underground shafts and galleries under Verdun Citadel were dug between 18 and organised to accommodate and provide for 2,000 men. In July last year, the French Prime Minister was on hand to inaugurate the new augmented reality experience at the Citadelle Souterraine in Verdun. en.įat-biking on Omaha Beach © Thibs Prod Lumieres Marines Prod Make your reservation at the Grand Verdun Tourist Office, departures from the Douaumont Ossuary. Ride marked trails, dodging shell holes and taking in sites of historical interest and beauty spots as you go. For example, take a tour of the Verdun trenches by mountain bike, accompanied and guided by an ‘animator’. You can also visit some key Great War sites on two wheels. These hiking routes are available for download at EXPLORE BY BIKE To hike in complete freedom, choose from four routes proposed to explore the history of this unique forest, with its unusual topography and ecological richness: the Douaumont trail (2km – 1hour), the Souville trail (2.7km – 1h30), the Froideterre trail (3km – 1h30) and the Vaux trail (6 km – 2h30). The battlefield is now an open-air museum with its own ecosystem and protected species, and in 2014, the Verdun forest was awarded the Forêt d’Exception label. ![]() Post-war around Verdun in Meuse, after removing mines and surface clearance operations, 36 million trees were replanted and nature gradually regained its rightful place. This article is part of a bigger feature on the Remembrance Trail in France. From hiking trails to cycling routes to kayaks, there are many ways to discover France’s war history.
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