Vauquois: Discover the traces of the First World War

Vauquois is a destination for travellers who want to explore the traces of the First World War. The focus is the Butte de Vauquois, with its historic landscape, underground facilities and museum. La Hardonnerie is also one of the places to visit in Vauquois, but has a different focus from the war sites. For your planning, it helps to distinguish between exploring the surface independently, taking a guided tour underground and the farm’s seasonal conditions.

The Butte de Vauquois as a historic landscape

The Butte de Vauquois is classified as a historic monument of the First World War. The preserved features include French and German trenches on the surface, as well as underground networks that have been renovated and preserved in their original condition. Large mine craters date from the fighting between 1914 and 1918. The Butte can therefore be viewed not only through individual monuments, but as terrain bearing preserved traces.

Surface and walking route

Visits to the surface of the Butte are free and possible year-round. The Circuit des entonnoirs is a route for exploring the surface independently. You can use it to explore the terrain and the traces preserved there at your own pace. At an elevation of 290 metres, the Butte also offers a panoramic view. The surface visit is therefore distinct from the guided tour underground: it is a separate way to experience the site, not simply one section of the underground route.

Access conditions may change. So check the latest information about visiting the surface before your visit.

Underground visit

The underground route is illuminated. On a guided tour, the paths lead through galleries containing former barracks. Beneath the Butte, you will encounter other preserved features of the wartime landscape than those on the surface. The main part of the underground route takes no longer than 30 minutes; the actual duration may vary depending on conditions and group size. This time estimate applies to the main part, not necessarily to the entire visit. If you are planning to explore underground, check the latest conditions before travelling.

Exhibition, museum and cemetery

The Butte has a permanent exhibition about prefabricated concrete blocks. The complex also includes the “Ouvrage commémoratif” (museum). Both features add an exhibition and commemorative dimension to a visit to the site, but should not be confused with the trenches or underground facilities.

Another place of remembrance is the French military cemetery “La Maize”. It lies south of the new village and is permanently accessible. Local conditions may change; check the latest information before your visit.

La Hardonnerie

Another place to visit in Vauquois is La Hardonnerie, a rescue and educational farm spread over several hectares. It has a different thematic focus from the Butte and the military cemetery. Activities and access may vary by season. Bear this in mind when planning, and check the latest visiting conditions before your trip if you would like to visit the farm.

Discover more destinations: Fresnes-en-Woëvre, Varennes-en-Argonne, Juvigny-Sur-Loison, Beausite, Watronville, Bras-sur-Meuse, Cléry-Le-Grand, Verdun-Sur-Meuse.

For the broader travel overview: Meuse.