Attractions and Places To See around Gincrey - Top 20

A very beautiful and interesting monument.

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 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.

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.

A very nice walk starting from my charming village

The official name of this memorable location is 'Monument Muslim Soldiers'. The monument was built in memory of the 30,000 Muslim soldiers who died at Verdun in the First World War. On 26 June 2006, French President Chirac inaugurated this monument on the hill of Douaumont in memory of the thousands of Muslims who fell for France during the First World War. The monument is a circular gallery of 25 by 19 metres with an arched vault and Arabic battlements. Inside is a column with the text: 'To the soldiers Muslims Died for France " Source: Trace of War

The Myth of the First World War “In memory of the French soldiers who sleep standing, rifle in hand, in this trench – their brothers in America.” This is the inscription in front of the Memorial of the Battle of Verdun in the ghost town of Douaumont. The monument was financed by a wealthy American banker, George T. Rand, who was moved by the famous legend surrounding the site. It is said that French soldiers buried standing, with weapons in hand, died from enemy shells. Bayonet Trench is one of the myths of the First World War. In 1922, it was classified as a historical monument and in 2014 it was considered a site of national importance. After the war, excavations uncovered 21 bodies of French soldiers. Fourteen were identified and buried in the Necropolis of Fleury, opposite Douaumont. The seven other bodies that remained unknown were reburied in the "Bayonet Trench". For many, the myth persists, while others question it. Especially since no body was found standing upright. In any case, the legend of the "Bayonet Trenches" shows above all how much the Great War left an almost indelible mark on the collective imagination. As the bloody conflict of the Battle of Verdun drew to a close, glorious stories quickly emerged in which the nation sacrificed itself for the fatherland. Source: https://www.landofmemory.eu/sites-historiques/tranchee-des-baionnettes/

This spot is the perfect place to travel back in time. From the beginning of the Battle of Verdun, Fort de Vaux was one of the priority targets of the German offensive. In early March 1916, the Germans came within a few hundred metres of the fort and began a siege that lasted 100 days. Inside the fort, under a barrage of artillery fire, resistance was organised despite the lack of food and water. On 1 June 1916, the Germans reached the fort: the French garrison, isolated and without outside support, fought a week of heroic fighting inside the fort before being defeated by exhaustion. Triggered? Buy a combined ticket and immerse yourself in the history of this episode in the war of 14-18 with a visit to Fort de Vaux. The tour gives an insight into the daily living conditions of the besieged soldiers in the heart of the fort. A must-see for any history buff.