We went to our car parked outside to find it covered in front at 10am. Most of our walk was decorated with frost. Many areas around the Citadel we thought would not see the low winter sun. On our return home at 4.30 there were still signs of frost on the grass. On asking the learnered Siri the temperature range today was -4 to 5 degrees celicius. As there was little wind the cold was quite tolerable.
Notre Dame De Cathedral is simply a magnificent church dating back to 990 with beautiful stained glass widows and a pipe organ. Photos don’t do it justice.
After Notre Dame De Cathedral, descended from Verdun’s heights into the lower town to find food. We located a cafe selling Pizzas except they didn’t. We find that often what is advertised outside is not what is inside in French cafes and restaurants so wasn’t surprised anymore. The food as usual was delicious and delightful. Of course interesting French art work was on the cafe wall.
As we were paying the bill, an old French couple asked us where we were from. Once they understood we were Australians, they engaged us in a interesting and animated conversation that eventually included the cafe owner. They were very friendly and warm. Eventually we headed off with French well wishes and smiles.
At underground Citadel ( built in early 1600s and modernised in 1898) we took a animated trolley tour of the 1916 military facilities. Obviously the tour showed only a fraction of the site which is vast. The tour was interesting as the trolley navigated the dark galleries of the citadel, it appeared to follow tracks that were imbedded in the ground. We witnessed very well done holograms of life in the base in 1916 as well as static displays.
After the citadel we headed back to our hotel to rest and pack ready for tomorrow’s trip to the “silent picket” B&B near Amien and the Somme.
At 10am we headed out to visit “underground citadel ” where the French Army co-ordinated their defence against the Germans in 1916-1918.
We explored the fortress from the outside then went in to see the display and take a tour.
Unfortunately in country France many things close from 11ish to 2ish in the afternoon. So we continued into the town to take in the sites, find lunch and eventually visit the Verdun’s Norte Dame De cathedral.
A highlight of the day was when we had an elderly French gentleman approach us at Verdun memorial in centre of town. At first we thought he was a beggar but quickly worked out that he was trying to tell us proudly about Verdun’s Norte Dame De Cathedral (a different one from yesterday) which was not far away. To communicate, we used an iPhone app that translates any major language on the fly. The old French gentleman at first was surprised and later delighted with the app. It was heart warming moment that reminded us that we are all the same. We were delighted with his local advice as we got to see the Chatel gate (a 12th century gatehouse) from Verdun’s medieval past.
He was probably chuffed in returning home to talk of the conversation he had with some Australians. Of course instant association when Australian is mentioned is kangaroo. We saw a distinct enthusisam lift when we made the effort to communicate. He was amazed at seeing his words appear on the phone as he spoke and viceversa when we had English translated.
Certainly Verdun’s past is very rich, a person interested in history, could spend some time unpacking the layers of human habitation back Palaeolithic period. We found out that modern France was born when the treaty of Verdun was signed in 843 creating the Kingdom of East Francia (or France), west Francia (Paris and coast) and Germania (Modern Germany). Obviously east and west Francia became one about 100 or so years later. Hence in 1916, Verdun was sacred ground, and French fought to defend it.
Verdun’s Notre Dame De Cathedral was displaying a Christmas display originally designed for Paris’ Norte Dame. The nativity scene presented was made in the South of France. It was amazing. It was a whole village centred around the stable where Baby was born. There were many everyday scenes within the display from in the village from women and girls washing clothes, with a real running water to shepherds and their sheep.
Notre Dame De Cathedral is simply a magnificent church dating back to 990 with beautiful stained glass widows and a pipe organ. Photos don’t do it justice.
After Notre Dame De Cathedral, descended from Verdun’s heights into the lower town to find food. We located a cafe selling Pizzas except they didn’t. We find that often what is advertised outside is not what is inside in French cafes and restaurants so wasn’t surprised anymore. The food as usual was delicious and delightful. Of course interesting French art work was on the cafe wall.
As we were paying the bill, an old French couple asked us where we were from. Once they understood we were Australians, they engaged us in a interesting and animated conversation that eventually included the cafe owner. They were very friendly and warm. Eventually we headed off with French well wishes and smiles.
At underground Citadel ( built in early 1600s and modernised in 1898) we took a animated trolley tour of the 1916 military facilities. Obviously the tour showed only a fraction of the site which is vast. The tour was interesting as the trolley navigated the dark galleries of the citadel, it appeared to follow tracks that were imbedded in the ground. We witnessed very well done holograms of life in the base in 1916 as well as static displays.
After the citadel we headed back to our hotel to rest and pack ready for tomorrow’s trip to the “silent picket” B&B near Amien and the Somme.
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