Bar Le Duc

Bar le Duc, formerly known as Bar, is a commune in the Meuse département, of which it is the préfecture (capital). The department is in Lorraine in north-eastern France. The lower, more modern and busier part of the town extends along a narrow valley, shut in by wooded or vine clad hills, and is traversed throughout its length by the Ornain, which is crossed by several bridges.

Bar le Duc was at one time the seat of the countship, later duchy, of Bar. Though probably of ancient origin, the town was unimportant till the 10th century when it became the residence of the counts. Originally part of the early medieval duchy of Upper Lorraine, at some stage in the early modern period it was acquired by the neighbouring dukes of Lorraine.