Verdun, symbol of the First World War now regards itself as the capital of peace

Verdun, is the key fortress town in Lorraine - and symbol of one of the greatest, and most deadly conflicts of the First world War. Verdun was the scene of the death of up to eight hundred thousand German and French soldiers between February and December 1916 - just how many died is unknown and many of the dead were never recovered. Tens of thousands visit Verdun every year: amongst them schoolchildren from both Germany and France. Verdun now symbolises the pointlessness of war - and regards itself as the capital of peace.