La Porte Chaussee, Verdun

Depicted here is the gothic Chaussee gate that takes its name from the road that was established in the 12th century from the right bank of the river Meuse, to the east. Built in 1380, it was one of three monumental gates of the Grand Rempart, which symbolised the status of Verdun, having become a free city of Empire in 1374. It been the official entry into the city since it was constructed in the 16th century that also acts as a defense tower to the old great wall which once encircled Verdun. in the 1750's the towers were used as a military prison and in 1881 the gate was classified as a historical monument.

Across the road from the gate is Verdun's town war memorial representing those who fought and those who were lost in the Battle of Verdun. The memorial is in the form of five soldiers standing firm together, and the names of those who fell are listed beneath them. The immortalised 1916 battle cry of French General Robert Nivelle 'Ils ne passeront pas" (they shall not pass) are inscribed on the memorial wall.

Paul Mansard was the alias of French artist Henry Dupont. Dupont also worked under the alias Marcel Augis.