Monument to Victory and the Soldiers of Verdun

This memorial is a pyramidal tower structure topped with a warrior figure gazing toward the former battlefield to the east. A grand staircase divides the monument and connects the lower part of town to the upper level while displaying inscriptions honoring those who died.

The monument was built and dedicated in 1929 to commemorate the 1916 Battle of Verdun, one of the deadliest battles of World War I. Its construction represented the French effort to shape national memory and create physical landmarks at sites of major conflict.

The name emphasizes how the French viewed the outcome of the Verdun battle as a national triumph. Today it serves as a gathering place where visitors pause to acknowledge the sacrifice and the struggle that shaped modern France.

The site is centrally located in Verdun and easily accessible on foot from most parts of the town center. Visitors can approach from different angles and walk around the structure to read the various inscriptions and take in the views.

The warrior figure at the summit holds its sword in a posture meant to convey eternal watchfulness over the battles that shaped the region. This symbolic stance was intentional, designed to help visitors understand the lasting impact of what occurred here.

Location: Verdun

Inception: 1929

Creator: Jean Boucher, Léon Chesnay, Louis-Alfred Berthemy, Jean Prouvé, Gustave Leblanc-Barbedienne

Official opening: March 23, 1929

Address: place de la Libération

GPS coordinates: 49.16123,5.38387

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:21