the city of verdun : 1 000 YEARS OF HISTORY

This tour is perfect for a first trip uncovering of Verdun city.
This route invites cyclists to discover over the many centuries, from 10th to today; the lively city of Verdun with its docks; Medieval period but also the late modern period of Verdun with its facades and its Art deco.

An episcopal city, Verdun has a rich religious heritage since the 16th century, it forms with the cities of TOUL and METZ the province of the «Trois Évêchés» (Three Bishops).
From the St-Baptiste Church or St-Victor via the St Nicolas chapel, simply walk the streets of the upper town and stroll along the river Meuse to be convinced.

Verdun has an episcopal palace (now the World Peace Center), a cathedral, two old abbeys, seven churches and chapels ...

200 m • From the Tourist Office, take the direction of the Pont chaussée. Before the bridge on the right you can see the Children’s Monument. On the other side is the Porte Chaussée, official entrance of the city in the 14th century, and defensive element of the Grand Rempart.

300 m • Go to the right and follow the road to the roundabout. You will pass in front of the « Défense de Rodin » (19th century) the « Monument to women of the rural world » (monument aux femme du monde rural)

650 m • Turn left and pass in front of the subprefecture and Porte St-Paul (19th century).

1 km • Continue on Mazel Street. You can raise to eyes and contemplate the architecture and Art deco of this street (20th century)

1,3 km • At the end of the street, turn left on the bridge, and take the roundabout and the exit on the right to the City Hall then take the first street on the right (17th century).

4.1 km • Continue your tour to Pré l’Evêque Leisure Center. Enjoy this green area to go around the water. You’ll appreciate the calm and the tranquility. Exit the leisure center and take to the left the Pont Ecluse St-Amand
(17th century). It allowed the upstream flooding that keep the city out of reach of enemy cannons then head yourself towards your the left to the Underground Citadel.


6,2 km • At the end, stop yourself at the Carrefour des Maréchaux (16 statutes that represent Generals and Marshals of the First and Second Empire).
Go around the ramparts of the Underground Citadel and climb the hill to the right to reach the place de l’étoile. Turn left to reach Porte Châtel, the oldest gate of Verdun
(18th century).

6,8 km • Go down to the Monument de la Victoire (Victory Monument) to enjoy the view. Retrace your steps and pedal to Notre-Dame of Verdun Cathedral (10th century) and the World Center For Peace (Centre mondiale de la paix), the former episcopal palace (18th century).

7,4 km • Follow the road and go down to the city center. Pass the Princerie Museum (14th century), then turn right to face 200m lower, the Chapelle Buvignier (Buvignier Chapel, 18th century), place of many exhibitions.

Continue straight on the sidewalk and pass the Tour chaussée (Pavement Tower) to reach the Tourist Office.