I discovered the significance of 1916 when we came to this place. The Ossuaire itself, as you can see from the photo, stretches out in each direction. Inside the two tunnels on either side are lined on all sides including the ceiling by the names of those who died defending Verdun, the vast majority died in 1916. Reading the dates of birth it became apparent that many had been younger than my boys at home, seeing the names pressed that point home just a little harder. Outside the mass of crosses, each one with it's own little red rose bush was testament only to the futility of war.
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