Abri VLL 1

Abri VLL 1 is a First World War-era combat shelter tucked into the forest east of Verdun, right next to the village of Damloup. It belongs to the ring of fortifications built around the Verdun stronghold and today counts as one of the more evocative, if lesser-known, stops on the walking trails across the old Verdun battlefield.

What exactly is this place?

The shelter was built between 1899 and 1900 on the right bank of the Meuse, between Fort Vaux and the La Laufée fortification, at roughly 349 metres above sea level, just behind the Damloup artillery battery. It followed the standard 1898 company-model design, meant to house up to 200 infantrymen defending that stretch of the stronghold. Construction in 1900 cost 88,269 francs. In 1909, engineers added a bomb-proof field kitchen against the front wall, at a further cost of around 4,450 francs.

Shelters of this type relied on thick layers of concrete and earth to protect the interior, while the front wall — facing the friendly rear lines — was built in masonry and far less resistant to shelling. That structural weak point would decide the building's fate in 1916.

What happened here during the Battle of Verdun?

The shelter sat at the heart of the fighting for Fort Vaux in the summer of 1916. After the fort fell on 3 July 1916, German forces also took Abri VLL 1. French troops recaptured it in bitter bayonet fighting on 12 July, but the position changed hands again before being finally liberated by French forces on 24 October 1916.

The shelter had been under fire from the earliest days of the battle, but the worst damage came from French artillery during the German occupation, deliberately targeting the weaker, masonry-built front wall. The strikes destroyed the entire façade and three of the rooms inside.

What will you see on site?

Today, Abri VLL 1 is a partly ruined concrete structure reclaimed by the forest, standing among plentiful traces of combat — shell craters, trench lines, and remnants of neighbouring fortifications. It lies along a walking route that links several elements of the old defensive line around Damloup, making it easy to combine with a visit to the nearby Damloup artillery battery and the La Laufée fortification in a single historical walk.

How do you get there?

Verdun is the best starting point; local roads lead to the Damloup area, after which the site is explored on foot along forest paths, so sturdy footwear is recommended. The shelter isn't signposted as a major tourist attraction, so it's worth checking a trail map of the Verdun battlefield before setting out.

When should you visit?

Spring, summer and early autumn are the best times to come, when the forest floor is dry and the paths are easier to walk. In autumn and winter the ground can turn muddy, and dense undergrowth makes the smaller fortification remains harder to spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Abri VLL 1 used for? It was an infantry combat shelter built between 1899 and 1900 as part of Verdun's defensive system, designed to hold up to 200 soldiers.

Can you go inside the shelter? The structure is heavily damaged and overgrown — visitors view it from the outside as a stop along the battlefield trail rather than an interior open for touring.

Why is the shelter so badly damaged? The heaviest damage came from French artillery aimed at the weaker front wall while the shelter was held by German forces in 1916.

Is it worth combining with other nearby sites? Yes — the Damloup artillery battery and the La Laufée fortification are both close by, making it easy to plan a longer historical walk through this part of the Verdun battlefield.