Verdun Battlefield...

[PHXConx]

Im working on a trip to see it, with the 100 anniversary coming in a year and a half i really want to make the trip.  
 
my question is whats the best way to get there
 
has anyone else made this trip? 
 
Its kind of in the middle of all the major cities... that US/AA flies into so the question is which is the best one to fly into and best way to get there when i do land...  
 
 
its one of those major battle fields that even after 100 years with the exception of the reforestation they did in 1928 still looks like it did in 1916. craters pock mark the landscape memorials where villages ceased to exist.
 
and of course the  Douaumont Ossuaire where 130,000 unknown French and German Soldiers are laid to rest.  
 
 
People who say the French are cowards, and do not know how to fight... Have never been to or heard of Verdun.  
 

 

 

[SparrowHawk]

Look into flying into Lyon, FR on Air France. Also explore flying into LCY (London City Airport) and see if British Airways can get you close.
 
It's not going to be a cheap ticket I can tell you that much. British Airways and Iberia are part of One World so your FF miles from US/AA can be used as well
 
Hope this is helpful

 

[PHXConx]

thanks

 

[SparrowHawk]

thanks

Suggestion if I may?
 
Fly into BRU, go to Bastogne, BE to the site of the Battle of the Ardenne (Bulge), then do some Belgian Beer tasting on the way over to Verdun. BRU will be a cheaper flight (More beer money). If you have the time there is a well preserved portion of Hitler's Atlantic Wall near Oostende, BE just north of Dunkirk as well. Also if you're going to Verdun you's best allow time to visit Flanders Field east of Oostend in Ypres, BE.
 
Now that I think about it, fly into Frankfort, rent a car take in ALL of the aboveee and fly back out of Paris, France. 10 days should be enough. If you do that be prepared to get absolutely RAPED on price for the rental cars. Also on renting a car. Car rental companies are the biggest whores on 2 feet. Read the contract and then read it again as they are not very favorable to someone from the US. Think Cell phone pics of every inch of the car prior to acceptance.

 

[PHXConx]

Suggestion if I may?
 
Fly into BRU, go to Bastogne, BE to the site of the Battle of the Ardenne (Bulge), then do some Belgian Beer tasting on the way over to Verdun. BRU will be a cheaper flight (More beer money). If you have the time there is a well preserved portion of Hitler's Atlantic Wall near Oostende, BE just north of Dunkirk as well. Also if you're going to Verdun you's best allow time to visit Flanders Field east of Oostend in Ypres, BE.
 
Now that I think about it, fly into Frankfort, rent a car take in ALL of the aboveee and fly back out of Paris, France. 10 days should be enough. If you do that be prepared to get absolutely RAPED on price for the rental cars. Also on renting a car. Car rental companies are the biggest whores on 2 feet. Read the contract and then read it again as they are not very favorable to someone from the US. Think Cell phone pics of every inch of the car prior to acceptance.

 
Ardennes and Ypres and Flanders are all on my list... That will be a seperate trip to belgium my travel buddy already wants to do that.
 
The trip to verdun may end up being a lone trip getting there and saying hey i want to take a trip a hundred km away to see Verdun, may end up being followed by a wtf? lol all she will hear is another battle field,
 
Im hoping with the Centenary of the Great War, being upon us, that maybe tours will be a better way to go.
 
I just remember my great Grandfather discussing the eerie feeling of visiting Verdun during the 60s..  (well he was talkinga bout it in the 1970s) though i was too young to understand, at the time he had volunteered with the French Foreign legion in 1914, was at the battle of the Somme, and just going there brought it all back to him, the smells the tastes the screams of compatriots... it still gives me shivers down my spine.  it was a profound moment in my then young life. 

 

[SparrowHawk]

 
Ardennes and Ypres and Flanders are all on my list... That will be a seperate trip to belgium my travel buddy already wants to do that.
 
The trip to verdun may end up being a lone trip getting there and saying hey i want to take a trip a hundred km away to see Verdun, may end up being followed by a wtf? lol all she will hear is another battle field,
 
Im hoping with the Centenary of the Great War, being upon us, that maybe tours will be a better way to go.
 
I just remember my great Grandfather discussing the eerie feeling of visiting Verdun during the 60s..  (well he was talkinga bout it in the 1970s) though i was too young to understand, at the time he had volunteered with the French Foreign legion in 1914, was at the battle of the Somme, and just going there brought it all back to him, the smells the tastes the screams of compatriots... it still gives me shivers down my spine.  it was a profound moment in my then young life. 

I hear you loud and clear. Uncle fought in the Battle of the Ardennes in the 3rd Army Corp, 90th division under General George S. Patton. I was over for the 60th anniversary and it does leave you with a profound set of emotions when you reflect on what happened. I also went to the Hamm Cemetery to visit General Patton's grave. The thing that struck me he was at the head of the graveyard as if surveying his troops. If he came back to life I think he would be pissed not being in the rows with his men.

 

[777 fixer]

Just remember one thing about Europe.  The train is your friend.

 

[SparrowHawk]

Just remember one thing about Europe.  The train is your friend.

Especially in Belgium. They are supposed to have the best rail system in Europe. Only thing I noticed is that navigating the Ardennes via train and bus is pretty challenging. Otherwise pretty much any place I wanted to go a train was never more than an hour wait.
 
The train is especially wallet friendly.

 

[PHXConx]

Just remember one thing about Europe.  The train is your friend.

this is true...