Major city · France
Verdun
One full day for the battlefields and memorials; a second morning for the town. Skip if you have no interest in WWI history.
Verdun is the essential WWI site in France — the 1916 battle that became a national symbol. The town itself is small and quiet; the reason to come is the ring of forts, the Douaumont Ossuary and the Verdun Memorial, all a short drive or bus ride from the centre. Most visitors arrive from Metz or Reims for a day trip, or stay one night to cover the battlefield loop properly.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (cold, some sites close or have reduced hours)
- Airport
- MZM
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Verdun17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Verdun, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyVerdun is a quiet town with low crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire · 15 ambulance (samu) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMZM Metz–Nancy–Lorraine (About 1 h 15 min by car; limited flights.
- Getting aroundThe battlefield loop is 15–20 km (9.3–12 mi); a car is the practical option.The battlefield loop is 9.3–12 mi (15–20 km); a car is the practical option.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café crème)€2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealBaguette sandwich€5–8 (≈ US$6–10)
- BeerBeer (demi / pression)€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from station to town centre€8–12 (≈ US$10–14)
- Museum or sight ticketVerdun Memorial entry€12 (≈ US$14) (check)
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per room€100 (≈ US$120)
- Mid-range bedDouble room (hotel or B&B), a night, per room€110 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedDouble room (hotel or B&B), a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €50 (≈ US$60) · Mid €90 (≈ US$110) · High €160 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MZM Metz–Nancy–Lorraine (About 1 h 15 min by car; limited flights. Check also Luxembourg (LUX, 1.5 h) or Paris CDG (2.5 h by TGV + local train).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jul (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Verdun: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
11 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The battlefield loop is 15–20 km; a car is the practical option. Bus line 3 runs from the station to the Verdun Memorial (check schedule). Cycling is possible on the Voie Sacrée but the terrain is rolling.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Metz
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train from Verdun station, about 1 h
Gothic cathedral, Pompidou Centre and a lively centre.
Nancy
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Train via Metz or direct bus (check), about 1.5 h
Place Stanislas, Art Nouveau and the Musée des Beaux-Arts.
Reims
goDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Train via Metz or Châlons-en-Champagne, about 2 h
Cathedral, champagne houses and the Palais du Tau.
Luxembourg City
goDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Train via Thionville, about 2 h
UNESCO old town and the Bock casemates.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (near the cathedral)
Walkable to restaurants and the station; quiet at night.
Near the Verdun Memorial
Closer to the battlefield sites but isolated; you need a car or taxi.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–130 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- €130 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room (hotel or B&B)1 × 1 night × €110 | €110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €90 | €180 |
| Train from Metz (return)2 × €20 · check | €40 |
| Bus line 3 to the Verdun Memorial (return)2 × €6 · check | €12 |
| Car rental for one day1 × €60 · check | €60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €40 |
| Trip total≈ €221 per person per day, bed included | €442≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café crème) | €2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Baguette sandwich | €5–8 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Three-course menu (lunch) | €15–25 (≈ US$18–30) |
| Beer (demi / pression) | €4–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Taxi from station to town centre | €8–12 (≈ US$10–14) |
| Verdun Memorial entry | €12 (≈ US$14) (check) |
| Douaumont Ossuary entry | €8 (≈ US$10) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Many battlefield sites close for lunch (12:00–13:30 or 14:00).Many battlefield sites close for lunch (12:00 PM–1:30 PM or 2:00 PM).
- The Douaumont Ossuary and Verdun Memorial have seasonal hours; check the official site before you go.
- Unexploded ordnance is still found in the forested areas: stay on marked paths.
- The cathedral is free but the Lion Door tympanum is best seen in the morning light.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 15
- European emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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VerdunVerdun
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire18
- Ambulance15
- European emergency112
Embassy
The US embassy is in Paris; the nearest consulate is in Strasbourg. Most other countries have embassies in Paris and consulates in Strasbourg or Lyon.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Metz → Verdun: about €10–15 (≈ US$12–18), 1 h (check)
- Bus line 3 to the memorial: about €3 (≈ US$4) one way (check)
- Taxi town centre → Douaumont: €20–30 (≈ US$25–35) (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello / Good day (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- Excusez-moi — Excuse me (ex-kyoo-zay mwah)
- Combien ? — How much? (kom-byen)
- Où est le mémorial ? — Where is the memorial? (oo ay luh may-moh-ree-al)
- Parlez-vous anglais ? — Do you speak English? (par-lay voo ahn-glay)
Verdun is a small town; most people in tourism speak some English, but a few French phrases help.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Verdun. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (cold, some sites close or have reduced hours) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Battlefield loop with timed entry to the Douaumont Ossuary and Verdun Memorial.
- Walking route from the cathedral to the Châtel Gate and the World Peace Centre.
- Place pages for the cathedral, the memorial and the ossuary with verified hours.
- Eat pages with last orders and a note on the local quiche and madeleine.
Sources
Ask about Verdun
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