The Douaumont Ossuary is a monumental memorial dedicated to the soldiers who fell on the battlefields around Verdun during the First World War. It stands near the former village of Douaumont, which was completely destroyed during the fighting on the Verdun front. The devastation was so extensive that rebuilding the village was no longer meaningful—the soil remained contaminated with decomposing bodies, unexploded shells, and remnants of chemical agents, making it unsuitable for agriculture.
The Battle of Verdun, fought from 21 February to 18 December 1916, is considered one of the longest and bloodiest battles in history. The fighting involved primarily the French and German armies. Verdun held immense symbolic importance for France, which defended it with unwavering determination, while the German command sought to exhaust the French forces through continuous assaults. It is estimated that the battle caused more than 700,000 casualties in total, including around 260,000 dead or missing.
The ossuary and the adjacent military cemetery are today designated as French national monuments. Inside the building, the ceilings and walls are lined with memorial plaques bearing the names of French soldiers who fell on the Verdun battlefield. The architectural design of the ossuary was created by Léon Azéma, Max Edrei, and Jacques Hardy. Artist George Desvallières designed the stained‑glass windows, through which warm yellow‑orange light enters the interior. Rising above the complex is a 46‑metre‑high tower, which has become a recognizable symbol of remembrance for the victims of the battle.
The ossuary was solemnly inaugurated on 7 August 1932 by the French president at the time, Albert Lebrun. Opposite the building, down the slope, lies the largest single French military cemetery from the First World War, where 16,142 soldiers are buried. Together with the ossuary, it forms a moving space of collective memory, reminding visitors of the immense price humanity paid in this devastating war.