The best cycling routes around Affléville

A very beautiful and interesting monument.

💧 Plan d'Eau de la Sangsue – Small Natural Lake Tucked away in the countryside lies the Plan d'Eau de la Sangsue, a small natural lake with wild shoreline vegetation, calm waters, and a natural charm. While its name ("Leech Pond") is unusual, the body of water is a peaceful spot for walkers, nature lovers, and birdwatchers. 🌿 Surrounded by forest and meadows, the pond is a refuge for amphibians, insects, and waterfowl. A narrow path leads along the shore – ideal for a quiet break in nature. Tip: Particularly beautiful in spring or when there is light fog – then the pond appears almost mystical. Perfect for a quiet rest off the beaten track.

Beautiful view over Verdun and the Meuse valley. On the nearby main road it is wonderful to drive downhill, but uphill is only recommended to a limited extent due to the busy traffic.

The Ossuary of Douaumont is an impressive memorial that holds the remains of more than 130,000 unknown French and German soldiers who died during the Battle of Verdun (1916). The bones are visible through small windows in the base – a confronting reminder of the horrors of war. In front of the ossuary is the Nécropole nationale de Douaumont, the largest French military cemetery of the First World War, with 16,142 graves, including a Muslim and Jewish plot. The complex was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023.

Since 2006, a monument has stood on the hill of Douaumont in memory of the 30,000 Muslim soldiers who died for France during the First World War. Inaugurated by President Jacques Chirac, it consists of a semicircular gallery with Arab architectural elements. In the middle is a column with the inscription: “À la mémoire des soldats musulmans morts pour la France”. The monument recognizes the diversity of the French army and honors the contribution of soldiers from North Africa and other parts of the then French empire.

The Mémorial de Verdun, located near the ruined village of Fleury-devant-Douaumont, is a leading museum and commemoration site for the Battle of Verdun (1916). The museum displays more than 2,000 objects and uses authentic objects, photographs and audiovisual installations to show how French and German soldiers experienced this battle – in the exact same place where they fought.

The Lion of Souville Symbol of resistance at the gates of Verdun; This impressive monument, unveiled on 1 October 1922, stands on the site of the former Sainte-Fine chapel and commemorates the fallen of the 130th French Infantry Division. Designed by animal sculptor and veteran René Paris, the statue depicts a dying Bavarian lion – a powerful allegory for the defeat of the German troops and the heroic French defence during the Battle of Verdun. On 23 June 1916, the German attacks reached their peak at Fort de Souville, the last obstacle to the fall of Verdun. Thanks to the courage of a small French garrison led by Lieutenant Dupuy, the fort remained in French hands. The lion marks the extreme point of the German advance – the “last gate” to Verdun remained closed.

Built in 1881 above the Tunnel de Tavannes to reinforce the inner defensive belt of Verdun. The battery had three firing platforms and a traverse shelter, and was originally armed with two 220 mm mortars and one 22 cm smoothbore mortar. In 1900 it was disarmed and reused during the Battle of Verdun (1916) as an ammunition depot and shelter for troops. The traverse shelter is the best preserved element visible today.