Fort Saint-Michel

Fort Saint-Michel is part of the ring of forts surrounding Verdun. The fort is located northeast of Verdun and was built between 1875 and 1877 as one of six "redoutes de la panique" (panic redoubts), hastily constructed forts established when relations between Germany and France deteriorated, and a new war loomed. The small fort is shaped like an irregular pentagon, housed 23 artillery pieces, and had a garrison of 160 men .

On 21 January 1887, the French Minister of War, Georges Boulanger, issued a decree that all forts, batteries, and barracks be named after former French military leaders. Fort Saint-Michel was renamed General Rouyer. However, the decree was repealed later that year by the new Minister of War, and the fort regained its original name .

Fort Saint-Michel is constructed entirely of stone and masonry and was never modernised after its completion . As a result, by the time of the Battle of Verdun, it was already outdated and vulnerable to modern artillery. The fort played no significant role in the battle.

Nevertheless, the fort was heavily shelled throughout the battle, with artillery fire from 105mm, 130mm, 150mm, and 210mm guns. On 8 May 1916, a shell strike caused the ammunition in the right double caponier to explode, completely destroying the caponier. On 22 and 23 June, the bombardments intensified significantly when the German army launched a major offensive . The German advance was halted at Fort Souville, sparing Fort Saint-Michel from a direct assault.

Today, Fort Saint-Michel is still owned by the French army. Access to the fort is dangerous and prohibited.