Introduction

The Meuse is a rural, picturesque department in the northeast of France. It is a relatively small French department with a population ranking 88th out of the 100 in total. The Meuse is split up into six districts, each boasting a history and flavour of its own, and each of which is a popular destination for tourists.

History

The Meuse was named after the Meuse River, and was one of the original departments of France. It was created from the former provinces of Barrois (an area of Bar-le-Duc) and Three Bishoprics (an area of Verdun). Now, the Meuse is perhaps most well-known for containing the famous city of Verdun. Verdun is famous for its battle in the First World War in which approximately 1 million men died. Subsequently Verdun has become a World Capital for Peace.

Major towns

Being a small department, the only major towns in the Meuse are Bar-le-Duc (which is the capital of Meuse), Commercy and the historically famous Verdun.

Weather

Like much of the north of France, Meuse can be very cold in winter, often with snow, and night time temperatures below zero are common. The summers can be hot and sunny. Rainfall is common at time of the year.

Tourist attractions

There is something to be seen in each of the districts of the Meuse. In the North there are magnificent town houses and citadels, whilst in the South there is exceptional architecture left over from the Renaissance period. The Eastern Meuse is a popular destination for those who want to see beautiful vineyards, orchards and lakes. This part of the Meuse is also covered by the "Lorraine Regional National Park", which provides a habitat for superb aquatic bird species. In the South East is the town of Commercy, which is famous for Madeleine, the residence of the Dukes of Lorraine. This part of the Meuse was also the birthplace of the epic of Joan of Arc, with a museum dedicated to her. Finally, many tourists like to pay a visit to the battlefields of Verdun to get a feel for the historically important town.

Family entertainment

There is much to do in Meuse for children and adults alike. For example, youngsters who are interested in astronomy can visit the astronomical observatory of the Côtes de Meuse at Viévillesous-les-Côtes where expert guides will tell them interesting facts and show them how to use telescopes. For those children who are interested in animals, there are many educational farms which allow them to see the animals and sample the farm produce. Also, because the Meuse River runs through the department, many families choose to go for a boat-ride on the river on a barge or a pleasure boat.

Another enjoyable activity for both young and old is the giant 'maize maze' which covers 4 hectares. It is named "La Cle des Champs" and is located in Vacherauville. The maze contains many puzzling games and riddles and can provide hours of fun. Entry price is cheap at 4 € for adults and 2 € for children.

Finally, if tourists are lucky enough they may also be able to see a festival, as they occur throughout the year in the Meuse. These can include circuses, fireworks and historical ceremonies.

Museums, galleries and culture

Meuse, being famous for its history, is packed with museums, churches and châteaux. Most museums are dedicated to the Battle of Verdun, showing key pictures and some even conducting tours of battlefields and other places of interest connected with the battle.

Other interesting museums include the "Maison du miel et des abeilles du val dunois" which is a famous beekeeping museum, and the "Musee Barrois" which is a beautiful castle located in Bar-le-Duc containing many items of historical and artistic interest. The castle itself boasts fantastic views of the town.

For those who are interested in books, there is also the "Bibliotheque Benedictine", an ornate library located in Saint Mihiel, which contains some 9,000 works including old manuscripts. And finally for those interested in the history behind Joan de Arc, a museum dedicated to her stands in Vaucouleurs, featuring pictures and sculptures of her.

There are also some famous archaeological sites, such as the "Site de Nasium" which contains over 200 hectares of fossil traces. Anyone can go to visit for free and there are frequent workshops for those interested in pottery, mosaic and archaeological digs.

Wine tasting

Like most other departments, Meuse is famous for its local produce of wine. Wine can be sampled at the table in restaurants, in the cellars of vineyards, or alternatively at the "Maison Vigneronne" which is situated in Hannonville-sous-les-Côtes.

Shopping

There are many opportunities for shopping in this department. The best place to shop is Bar-le-Duc, which is an attractive commercial centre that contains many shops, most of which are original and sell items peculiar to the Lorraine region.

Walking

Meuse is a charming place for walking as the department is full of scenic valleys, forestland, lakes and rivers. Perhaps the most scenic region is the Argonne, which has so many forests and greenery that it has been dubbed "the country where the tree is king". There are many hiking trails in the Meuse specially designed for walkers wanting to explore the best of the Meuse's walking districts, and for less ambitious walkers the area has abundant parks and gardens.

Golf

There are a number of golf courses in Meuse designed for beginners and experts alike. Many offer lessons with most accommodating children as well. Popular ones include Golf de Combles situated in Combles en Barrois, and Golf du Lac de Madine in Nonsard.

Food and drink

Meuse is well-known for the abundance and variety of food and drink available there. There is a long culinary tradition in Meuse and professionals mostly rely on local produce. Specialities of the region include red currant preserve de-seeded with goose quills from Bar-le-Duc, and truffles from the wider region of Lorraine. Meuse is also home to the speciality Mirabelle plums which are sometimes called "The Queen of Lorraine".

There is much beer production in Meuse at the many micro-breweries that have been set up in the last 20 years. Speciality cheeses and wine are also produced locally.

Ease of access

The Meuse is very easily accessed by rail. Journey time using France's high-speed train, the TGV, is two hours from Paris and Strasbourg, and three hours from Brussels and Frankfurt. For those who will be driving, Meuse is also close to the autoroute that links Paris and Strasbourg.

The Meuse is well situated for holidaymakers as it is a part of the Lorraine region which is famous for being the only French area that borders three other countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. Those who wish to visit Meuse and other regions in Lorraine thus have easy access to these other countries as well.

Value for money

The Meuse is a great place to visit for families who are on a budget as there are many museums and other places of interest which are free to visit, and others only costing a few euros. Being a small department, one does not have to travel far to reach it all, so families can also save on travel expenses. Food, especially if it is local produce, is also relatively cheap, so all in all the Meuse is very good value for money.

Summary

Overall, the Meuse is a welcoming, well-located and vibrant department which contains something for everyone. It is rich in history and architecture, but still has modern facilities for children or those keen on sports. The beautiful rural landscape is refreshing for anyone who wants to get out of the busier cities and enjoy a relaxing break from it all.