VISIT TO THE CITY
From the Porte-de-France, whose entrance arcade on the bridge dates from Louis XIV., take the Rue St. Maur, leading to the Place du Gouvernement.
THE PLACE D’ARMES
This square owes its name to the building called “Le Gouvernement,” or “Ancien Logis du Roi.” Residence of the War Minister, M. Louvois, in 1687, and to-day a barracks for the gendarmes. It was damaged by the bombardment.
From the Place du Gouvernement go via the Rue Chevert to the Place d’Armes.
The Place d’Armes, badly damaged by bombardment, occupies the site of a tower (Tour le Princier) of the old rampart.
Go down the Rue St. Pierre.
RUE ST. PIERRE IN 1916.
Turning to the left into the Rue St. Paul, the tourist passes in front of the College.
FAÇADE OF COLLEGE CHURCH, RUE ST. PAUL, MAY, 1919.
The present building was erected in 1890 on the site of the old college, founded in 1570 by Bishop Nicolas Psaume in the grounds of the ancient Hôpital de St. Nicolas-de-Gravière. Its church, a fine Ionic structure, was built in 1730 by the Jesuits. The college was one of the first buildings to be damaged by the bombardment, being struck in 1915, prior to the great German offensive against Verdun.
INTERIOR OF COLLEGE CHURCH.
Photographed in May, 1919.
Continue along Rue St. Paul as far as the Palais de Justice and the Sub-Préfecture (photo, [p. 34]).
These two buildings are the remains of the second Abbey of the Premonstrants of St. Paul, built inside the town after 1552. The first, situated without the walls, was destroyed by order of the Military Authorities, who feared a siege by Charles Quint.
In the SOUS-PRÉFECTURE vestiges of the ancient monastery are more numerous and apparent. The Salle des Archives, with its slender columns and great Renaissance bays, was the monks’ refectory. The Cabinet du Sous-Préfet, with its austere vaulting, has retained its archaic appearance. In the Loge du Concierge (caretaker’s lodge) there still exists one of the original mantelpieces, with carving representing Abraham sacrificing Isaac. The marble-paved vestibule and fine staircase are also 16th century.
The interior arrangement of the Palais de Justice buildings, whose façade is ornamented with a finely carved semicircular pediment, has been changed. Of the old convent there now only remains the Salle des Pas-Perdus, formerly the cloister.
The Hôtel de la Cloche d’Or, near by, has been installed in the ancient “Procure” of the same monastery (St. Paul’s).
THE PALAIS DE JUSTICE
The books and woodwork of the monastery have been removed to the Municipal Library.
Return by the Rue St. Paul to the Rue Chaussée, into which turn to the left; at the end is the Chaussée Gate (hist. mon.), built about 1380 (see [pp. 35] and [58]).
Its architecture recalls that of the Bastille. Half of the left tower on the river was rebuilt in 1690, exactly on the same lines and with the stones of the old tower; the semicircular arcade and the pediment facing the bridge are of the same date.
The pediment between the two towers was struck by shell splinters, otherwise the bombardments did not damage the gate.
THE BANKS OF THE MEUSE AND THE CATHEDRAL BEFORE THE WAR.
(Compare with photos on [pp. 35] and [37].)
THE CHAUSSÉE GATE (before the War)
Cross the Chaussée Bridge over the Meuse, then take on the right the Boulevard de la République, which passes in front of the Cercle Militaire (Military Club).
THE BANKS OF THE MEUSE, THE CATHEDRAL AND ST. CROIX BRIDGE.
Photographed from the Military Club in May, 1919.
Take on the left, the Rue du Puty and the Rue des Tanneries, then the Minimes Bridge (also on the left), at the end of which is St. Saviour’s Church.
ST. SAVIOUR’S CHURCH.
The church is modern, having replaced the old Église des Minimes in 1830. It contains, however, some interesting stained-glass windows, while at the entrance is the tomb of the founder of the old church, Bishop Bousnard, deceased in 1584.
THE INTERIOR OF ST. SAVIOUR’S CHURCH.
Return by the Rue des Tanneries to the Rue du Puty, turn to the left, reaching the Place Chevert on the right bank of the Meuse (see photo, [p. 37]).
There is a fine view of the upper town, bishop’s palace and cathedral from this square. The latter was begun in 1552, after the Church of St. Croix had been pulled down. A statue of General Chevert, by the sculptor of the pediment of the Madeleine in Paris (Lemaire), has been erected on the site of this church. In December, 1916, this statue was removed to the underground vaults of the Citadelle.
CHEVERT SQUARE AND STATUE OF GENERAL CHEVERT.
(Born at Verdun in 1695, General Chevert captured Prague in 1741. After a heroic defence, he capitulated in 1743, with the honours of War.)
THE MEUSE (SEEN FROM CHEVERT SQUARE, 1916).
On the other side of Chevert Square is the Rue de l’Hôtel-de-Ville, which ends on the right at St. Croix Bridge. Follow it on the left as far as the Hôtel-de-Ville (see Itinerary, [p. 31]).
FAÇADE OF THE HÔTEL-DE-VILLE OVERLOOKING THE GARDENS. (May 1919)