Verdun

[healdav]

Anyone going to Verdun should be aware that the "Le Pélerin" café and restaurant is closed for what looks like a complete rebuild.

They have opened a snack bar with sandwiches and drinks, across the road in the premises used by the people who maintain the Ossuary. However, there is no shelter there, just a few tables under the trees. So if it rains you will be in trouble.

Also, the French Army have, to their eternal shame, barred off the forest in a large swathe around the ruined village of Douaumont, to both vehicles and walkers. The whole area has been turned into a firing range! This is far more extensive thatn what used to be near the Boir de Caures (I don't know if it replaces it or is additional), which was closed on Mondays if memory serves me.

I did ask in Douaumon whether they were refighting the battle, but no one seemed to know except to shake their heads.