The Vauquois Experience: Exploring the World War I tunnels under the destroyed village of Vauquois, France

Abstract

Once a picturesque village in northeastern France with views of lush fields extending several miles to the edge of the Argonne Forest, Vauquois was transformed into a devastated World War I battleground — both above and below the Earth’s surface. From 1914 to 1918, the French and Germans fiercely fought for domination of this strategic hill. When the above-ground engagement made no progress, soldiers from both sides dug tunnels with the goal of destroying their enemy with underground explosives. Located on the fourth floor of Newman Library, visitors are able to explore these historic tunnels through virtual-reality technology and a physical replica in The Vauquois Experience exhibit.