fort de vaux

spacetourist

shows battle scars from war, inside has exhibits & replica roomsshows extent how war was in area ThenMust see Musuem for all ages.French forts in area dated to 1870 after Franco Prussian war.Must see with other Verdun museums.

Zebra_4456789

It was OK touring the inside of this old fort, but I was not overly impressed. Many of the rooms are bare, and the audio tour is rather long at each stop. It was neat to go inside, but I think the tour could be better by adding more equipment and displays. This would show how life was inside these forts for these men. It would be a better way to honor their sacrifices. Fort Douaumont was pretty much the same thing, but larger. If you have to choose one, go in Fort Douaumont. Give yourself about 30 minutes to take in what little there is to see here.

marvinf919

One of the fascinating aspects of world war one that are described at this site are the role of animals including the carrier pigeon that was sent from this fortification in the middle of the battle in 1916.

SarahG602

We visited this immediately after Douaumont with a joint ticket. Although smaller its story is no less interesting. Again the hand held audio and video guides are excellent. Well worth it.

VeganABZ

This fort is smaller than Douaumont but is still worth a visit as it is well preserved and situated to give a good idea of why it was built and what the conditions were for soldiers stationed there. There is a small shop and helpful staff - well worth a visit.

bontemps831

Not as large as Douaumont, but also inspiring. We saw this first and couldn't believe the landscape. One would think that they had formed the ground for skiing moguls.

BlackpoolBrian

Well worth a visit. We paid the little extra to visit the two forts and visual and audio guides, which I thought was a great idea. Again we toured the inside of the fort first before the coaches arrived and toured the top and gun emplacements later in the day.

Tankie0

After fort Dummound this is a must see. The multi media story allows you to get an understanding of what the men lived through.Make sure you pay the small fee to see inside and support the people preserving something well worth while

755simona

Reasonably priced attraction - fascinating history which was told via audio guide (Included in the cost) the fort is a little spooky in places and the stories are heart rending - well worth the cost

JohnTSanAntone

Another WWI fort on the Verdun battlefield. Another exceptional multimedia guide tells the history of the fort. The story of the German takeover of the fort, the desperate attempts by the fort's commander to communicate with leadership, and the eventual retaking of the fort by the French were very intriguing. If you only have time to tour one fort tour Fort Duoaumont.

JoeW139

Thought the presentation of the Fort and audio tour were far superior to Fort Douaumont. Audio tour gave a very good description of life in the Fort and the battle. A good stop for the english speaking tourist

Lieutenant_Feraud

A satellite fort to Douamont, Fort de Vaux is better preserved and not so vast to visit.Our guide explained the story of the fort's role in the defence of Verdun and its ultimate capitulation by illustrating the story of Commandant Rayant and his last pigeon. I think while contemplating massive suffering and loss on an almost incomprehensible scale it helps to be able to "fix" on the story of one particular combatant and how is war played out. Ultimately, brace Rayand had to surrender, "Valliant", the last pigeon he could send was decorated. Great story....

922PaulE

Paired with Douaumont, these two forts epitomized the defenses east of Verdun. This is absolutely worth a stop and walk about, but it's interior tour is not as extensive as the one at Douaumont. I'd recommend visiting Vaux, then going inside Douaumont. Vaux was FULLY staffed in the battle and was not beaten so much as it was surrendered when the occupants ran out of food, water and ammo. In short, Vaux did its job. As a side note, some distance to the west is Fort Souville. It's only accessible by a rough dirt road through the forest. And it's a ruin. But you can climb on and scamper about it and, in its dilapidated state, it gives you a whole different feeling of the battlefield after the battle. Be careful, though. This place is crumbling and once upon a time was deemed off limits (which is why the road is poor and the tiny sign at the road junction the only sign you'll find). Note: Fort Souville was as far as the Germans got. They were actually ON TOP OF the fort, but were driven back by artillery and an infantry counterattack.

AVG31

This fortress is in better shape than the Douaumont one, yet smaller. But it carries a story of unbelievable bravery, which in itself is a good reason for a visit.

dominiquel611

Should you go to Verdun, you need to tour all the forts and citadelle, it is the most moving experience you can have, take a guide or take the self audio.