Douaumont Ossuary
Built on the initiative of the Bishop Ginisty of Verdun, the Ossuary of Douaumont was inaugurated on August 7th, 1932 by the President of the Republic Albert Lebrun.
On the long façade of 137 m. the shields of the cities which have helped to build this work are affixed. Its tower of 46 m. high dominates the entire battlefield.
The cloister consists of 22 cells containing 46 granite tombs. Each tomb represents a sector of the battlefield and contains the bones found in this area.
At each end of the cloister is a vault of 350 m to contain the surplus of the bones of the too charged sectors.
In front of the Ossuaire, the Douaumont military cemetery contains the graves of 15,000 identified French soldiers.
Periods and Opening Hours
December 2023: Weekdays from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm - Saturdays and Sundays only from 2pm to 5pm. Closed on 25 December. From 26 to 31 December, open only from 14:00 to 17:00.
January: closed on 1 January 2024 - From 2 to 7 January inclusive, open from 2pm to 5pm only - Closed from 8 January to 4 February inclusive - Reopening on 5 February 2024.
January: annual closure - closed until 4 February inclusive - Reopening on 5 February 2024
February: weekdays 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm - Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 2pm to 5pm
March: weekdays from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5.30pm - Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5.30pm
April: weekdays from 9am to 6pm - Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 6pm
May and June: weekdays from 9am to 6pm - Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 6pm
July and August: weekdays from 9am to 6.30pm - Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 6.30pm
September: weekdays from 9am to 6pm - Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 6pm
October: weekdays from 9am to 5.30pm - Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 5.30pm
November: from November 1st to November 11th, 2024: open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays / from November 12th to November 30th, 2024: weekdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
December: weekdays from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm - Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm to 5pm only. Closed on 25 December.
School group rates
Access to the cemetery, cloister and chapel is free.
An entrance fee is charged to access the tower and / or the projection of the film in the basement.
- 2.00 € per pupil
- 1 free guide for 10 paying pupils
- 4.50 € per additional accompanying person
- 1.00 per pupil
- 1 accompanying adult free for every 10 paying pupils
- 4.50 per additional accompanying adult
Adult group rates
Access to the cemetery, cloister and chapel is free.
An entrance fee is charged to access the tower and / or the projection of the film in the basement.
- 4.50 € per adult
- A free for 20 paying people
