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

 January: annual closure - closed until February 2 inclusive - Reopening February 3, 2025 (for groups only and with advance booking, otherwise reopening February 8, 2025)
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: November 1 to November 11, 2024: open weekdays 9am to 5:30pm and 10am to 5:30pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays / November 12 to November 30, 2024: weekdays 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm - Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm.
December: weekdays 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm - Saturdays and Sundays 2pm to 5pm only and from December 21st open 2pm to 5pm only until January 5th 2025. Closed only on December 24 and 25, 2024.

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

• 4.50 € per adult
• A free for 20 paying people