Fort de Tavannes is the oldest fort in Verdun, construction started in 1847. It was bombed to hell in WW1 with some 30,000 to 40,000 shells hitting the fort and surrounding area.
Today it is forbidden entry and part of the Rouge Zone, areas full of so much unexploded ordinance and unrecovered dead (80,000 souls around Verdun) that it was left uninhabitable and unusable, a tomb. This area has been given back to wild forest overgrowth.
It’s beautiful but dangerous. I’ve become aware of at least a couple people who have died exploring this fort due to falls down shafts to the lower tunnel system. Supposedly there is known ordinance in some areas of the fort (presumably buried).
The fort itself is in very poor condition it’s difficult to discern the original layout as you walk around. However, with the overgrowth is quite a beautiful peaceful place. My pictures don’t do it justice.
Today it is forbidden entry and part of the Rouge Zone, areas full of so much unexploded ordinance and unrecovered dead (80,000 souls around Verdun) that it was left uninhabitable and unusable, a tomb. This area has been given back to wild forest overgrowth.
It’s beautiful but dangerous. I’ve become aware of at least a couple people who have died exploring this fort due to falls down shafts to the lower tunnel system. Supposedly there is known ordinance in some areas of the fort (presumably buried).
The fort itself is in very poor condition it’s difficult to discern the original layout as you walk around. However, with the overgrowth is quite a beautiful peaceful place. My pictures don’t do it justice.
