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Bar-le-Duc

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Meuse

Bar-le-Duc - Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Meuse
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Bar-le-Duc, prefecture of Meuse, is located 53 kilometres from Verdun and 38 kilometres from Commercy. The River Ornai runs through it, crossed by seven bridges, and so does a parallel artificial canal, the Marne-Rhine canal, which is used for water tourism.

Bar-le-Duc shows the influence of the Renaissance, a prosperous period for the town, when many buildings developed in the upper town and in the lower town, the original settlement in the Gallo-Roman era.

The upper part forms an exceptional architectural ensemble from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, when the nobility came to settle around the castle of the Dukes of Bar. Many mansions made of blond stone have gardens and pretty inner courtyards. The district is traversed by Rue des Ducs de Bar, the former high street or "Grand-Rue" of the upper town.

The beautiful Place Saint-Pierre is occupied by some fine Renaissance houses, including the Florainville mansion, now the Law Courts. A sight to see in the 14th-century Gothic Cathedral of St. Stephen, a listed Historic Monument, is a statue by Ligier Richier named "The Cadaver" ("Le Transi") or "The Flayed Man" ("l'Écorché"), representing René of Chalon, Prince of Orange, as a skeleton. In the Romanesque Church of Our Lady, there is a figure of Christ on the cross by the same Ligier Richier. The 14th-century Church of St. Anthony in the Bourg district is also a listed Historic Monument.

At the end of Rue des Ducs de Bar is the 12th-century Clocktower, which was part of the old ducal palace; the Gilles de Trèves College, with beautiful stone balustrades, built between 1571 and 1574; and Rue du Bourg, one of the most elegant streets in the town.

The Barrois Museum in the former Dukes' castle tells the story of the town, with some fine archaeological collections, French and Flemish paintings, and works of art from the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

For a beautiful view over the lower town, head to the Grangettes belvedere.

Located behind the front during the First World War, Bar-le-Duc had a strategic role. Bollard zero on the Sacred Way can be found there.

Bar-le-Duc est is also the land of redcurrants, which produce a succulent jam called "Bar caviar" when the seeds are removed using goose feathers!

Additional information
Bar-le-Duc

Between the Kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire, Bar-le-Duc was long the capital of a state independent: the Duchy of Barrois.

City capital of the department of Meuse, coupled with Griesheim and Gyönk, Bar-le-Duc is in a green area 200 km from Paris. It is surrounded by forests, crossed by the river Ornain and served by the TGV East European and Canal Marne au Rhin.

Bar-le-Duc is the "Capital of gooseberry." Redcurrant jam deseeded the quill, tradition unique in the world since 1344, is nicknamed the "caviar of Bar".

Things to see and do

Since 2003, Bar-le-Duc joined the National Network of Cities and Countries of Art and History, known for its archaeological remains and the beauty of its architecture dating from the Renaissance ...

It has a remarkable heritage, particularly through the neighborhood of the Upper Town. You will find many famous monuments such as the college Gilles de Treves, Marbeaumont Castle, the Clock Tower, or the Church of Saint-Etienne.

The museum barrois, housed in the castle of the Dukes, has a multitude of parts regularly restored, enlivening the cultural space through various exhibitions.

Many associations for sporting, recreational or cultural considerably enliven the local life.

Parks of the City Hall and Marbeaumont are also the charm of the City of the Dukes ...

Bar-le-Duc offers many tourist activities such as Renaissance Strolls, allowing each summer to discover the Upper Town in all its glory, through night visits by strange animated characters ...

The area of ​​Upper Juror also promises fabulous forest walks, and over a fitness trail. Meanwhile, the Tourist Office and Heritage Service of the City offer throughout the year for guided tours on themes rich and varied (the remarkable parks and gardens, bridges Bar-le-Duc, historical monuments, etc. .. .).

Youth barisienne has a suitable offer in terms of leisure. Thus, community centers and recreational programs tailored their concoct and fun for school holidays unforgettable. During the school, several devices like the recreation center of the Federation and sports schools allow them to flourish in various activities outside of school ...

Places of interest

Information points
Leisure centres
Monuments
Performance halls
Transport

Events and festivities

Bar-le-Duc City is fortunate to have a National Theatre to the delight of users of its municipal theater.

In addition to quality cultural facilities, the city can boast of a rich associational life with entertainment throughout the year.

Every summer, on Sundays Park offer free concerts of contemporary music who know a true popular success.

In May, the association Be Real offers a festival of new music of high quality in which artists produce national and international reputations.

Finally, how can we not talk RenaissanceS festival held every first weekend of July? Considered one of the 8 largest art festivals in the Rue de France, this national event annually attracts over 45,000 spectators! An unmissable event!

Photos

The Upper Town and its facades: a remarkable heritage
The Upper Town and its facades: a remarkable heritage
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Over Ornain...
Over Ornain...
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The Castle of the Dukes (Museum barrois)
The Castle of the Dukes (Museum barrois)
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The City Hall Park
The City Hall Park
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La Cité des Ducs in all its splendor...
La Cité des Ducs in all its splendor...
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the Clock tower in Upper Town
the Clock tower in Upper Town
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épépinage the currants with goose feather: a tradition
épépinage the currants with goose feather: a tradition
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the City Hall
the City Hall
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Marbeaumont Castle (Media Jean Jeukens)
Marbeaumont Castle (Media Jean Jeukens)
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Place in Reggio Lower town (Prefecture)
Place in Reggio Lower town (Prefecture)
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bridges Bar-le-Duc...
bridges Bar-le-Duc...
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The coming of Saint-Nicolas: a magical moment...
The coming of Saint-Nicolas: a magical moment...
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The RenaissanceS Festival: change of scenery!
The RenaissanceS Festival: change of scenery!
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Visits, leisure and activities nearby

The host country of valleys Ornain and Saulx offers hiking tours of varying lengths, which can be carried by hikers, equestrian and mountain-bikers. The Belvedere Tannois, the Beautiful Fountain, the High-Juror, Lizaumont, Three Wood, etc. ... So many routes to discover the discreet charms of valleys Ornain and Saulx.

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Hotels

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