The castle of the Dukes of Bar is located at Bar-le-Duc, in the Meuse department.
A first building was erected in the 10th century by the Duke of Haute-Lorraine to protect his territory from the inhabitants of Champagne. This original fortified castle is located on Mount Bar, which dominates the lower town and the Ormain valley.
In the 13th century, the Counts of Bar chose the site to set up their court. A double enclosure was built protecting the castle, the collegiate church and a powerful garrison.
The estate was embellished in the 15th century thanks to Duke René II of Bar. A reception room and a gallery are added. Then, over time, the old castle was restored and a New Castel consisting of a main building with wings at right angles was built in the courtyard (1567).
The overall style oscillates between Gothic and Renaissance since several neighboring buildings from different eras.
But in the 17th century, the dukes of Bar and Lorraine abandoned the town and the castle fell into disrepair. Burned down in 1649, it was then dismantled by order of Louis XIV.
Only the Neuf Castel remains, which presents no military danger, and the Clock Tower. During the Revolution, only the collegiate church serving the castle was destroyed.
Nowadays, the castle houses the Barrois museum dedicated to Fine Arts (paintings, sculptures) and natural history.
The establishment is currently closed for an indefinite period due to major works. However, you can admire the castle from the outside where pleasant gardens have been laid out, extended by an esplanade overlooking the town.
Information on +33 3 29 76 14 67.
