Underground citadel of Verdun — Attraction in Verdun

The first thing that impresses you about The Citadel is the size of it. Approaching the visitor entrance on foot allows you to see the walls close up and the construction of these was a colossal undertaking. During the 1914-1918 World War, Verdun (The Citadel) became the symbol of France's stand against Germany. During this conflict equal numbers of French and German soldiers died. Verdun remained in French hands despite the battle being one of the longest during WWI. The visitor experience of The Citadel is from the perspective of three soldiers arriving at The Citadel and then going back to fight again. After buying your ticket (no concessions) for €15 you walk into The Citadel and open a large door to a dark world. Lighting guides you forward to a station where you are given a disposable hair cover and step into a small buggy where you are then equipped with rudimentary VR headsets. The Citadel is like a cave and the ambient temperature is cold so make sure you bring something warm to wear. From this point your exploration of the tunnels in The Citadel is in the guided buggy with audio in your own language and film overlaid (using the VR headset) on the illuminated walls of The Citadel. Sound and film recreate the experience of the soldiers and illustrate what life underground must have been like. The billets, bakery and medical services feature in their experience. The commentary explains details of the importance of the site to France and the recognition and respect paid by the allies at that time. This guided experience takes around 30 minutes and you arrive at another 'station' where you leave the darkness and proceed on foot exploring the mess hall and other tunnels before stepping back out into the sunlit walkway past a restored section or the exterior wall. After a few interactive displays you find yourself at the end of the tour in the gift shop. The Citadel is without question impressive and the human endeavour that has led to its construction cannot be underestimated. To have been here during WWI would have been a respite from the horrors of battle or a life underground supporting others. Whilst the guided tour was interesting and brought the experience of a few here to life, it would have been good to physically walk around more of the tunnels and seen more of the remaining artifacts in place. Overall an interesting place to visit. An experience rather than a museum, probably best as a starting point before visiting other historical sites in the area. Use of technology could be improved as this type of application develops quickly and the AR seems dated. We visited late afternoon (about 16.00) and there were very few people around - just two of us in our buggy (max 5). Check opening times and be aware that coach trips come here so it will get busy...

I think I was expecting something amazing from this museum. I had visited some bunkers and forts before this and so had high hopes. It was €15 for adults. I should mention that the people running the centre were really helpful. The first part of the museum is a viewing of a map and pictures from the Verdun battles. No photography is allpwed. The next part is a ride on a 'ghost train' with a VR headset that tells you the story of a few soldiers. The tunnels are freezing so dress warmly. I has hoped that the tunnels would be reconstructions of the WWI conditions but they were mostly empty and relied on the VR tales. After the 35 minutes on the 'train' I was then hoping for a walk around an amazing reconstructed museum but alas, the rooms were empty aside from the fixtures such as ovens. I can't express how disappointed I was. The next section was back in the visitor centre and a few info boards. I have been to volunteer-restored and run sites that have been so lovingly restored and brought back to life for a much smaller entry fee, that my expectations were huge for this museum. I think the installations must have cost a fortune but I feel that their money could have been way better spent. I wouldn't recommend a visit unless you have a craving for a wobbly train ride and VR that is way too loud. Practical info: Parking is available over the road from the entrance or just down the road on a gravel patch. There are toilets, basic café and gift shop inside. Leave around an hour for the visit on a quiet day or way longer on a busy day as there will no doubt be a queue...

This review is entirely from my personal perspective and tastes. Over 3000 reviews and in general 4+ stars puts me in the "kranks and crazy people" category who found this attraction to be totally not to my taste. Make your choice. Value for money I think is good: around 10 EUR per person for a 30 minute tour. I did not enjoy this. Queued for around 40 minutes waiting to get on the AGV. The tour itself uses low quality Augmented Reality glasses as you are taken through tunnels in the fort on an Automated Guided Vehicle. There is nothing to learn in this tour. The story that is told inspired no feelings in me. It left me mentally as well as physically cold (not to mention the slightly stiff neck from having to move my head around to get the AR to work). The tunnels are all refurbished with superflat floor for the AGVs. Nothing original appears to remain. I was willing the time to pass quickly. Once outside, had I noticed the Dutch plated van which was clearly a service vehicle for the AGV then I would have avoided wasting nearly two hours in this hole. Perhaps the tour would have been better had participants selected a nationality and re-enacted a virtual battle aboard AGV. At least on the side of the Dutch service van the pictures showed people enjoying themselves with a kind of "shoot...