Meuse | French Holiday Travel Guide

Situated in France’s North-Easten corner, sandwiched between Champagne and Alsace, Meuse is the westernmost department in the region of Lorraine.

Due to is historical significance it has a powerful physical and emotional lure for visitors – the beauty of the natural environment is perfectly complemented by the friendliness of the welcome offered by locals.

This is truly a place to reveal in the beauty of the great outdoors, so for those keen on fresh air activities, it’s a perfect place for escapism.


Visually, when you pass through small towns and villages you will notice the cluster formation of homes so prevalent in the region.

Adjoining houses forming tangles of small streets is much more common that a more ordered layout found elsewhere. Notable ‘street-villages’ that are worth visiting include Hannonville-sous-les-Côtes, Combres-sous-les-Côtes.

There’s a keen cultural element to draw visitors, too, and often with a nod to nature. For instance, the Le Vent des Forêts (Wind in the forests) sees six villages creating along 45 kilometres of specially-marked trails which are easily accessible between March and September on foot, on horseback or on a mountain bike.

Visitors seeking an historic perspective will be keen to explore the role the region took in the Great War – in 1916, for 300 days and 300 night the Battle of Verdun raged on its soil.



Today, through the authenticity and richness of its remains, the Battlefield of Verdun constitutes a heritage unique in the world. This vast area situated is proposed for UNESCO listing and consists of a group of remarkable sites that allow the visitor to understand the stages of the development of national remembrance.

The local gastronomy has a unique identity – don’t miss out on an authentic slice of Quiche Lorraine or a glass or two of finely crafted local beer.

Getting to Meuse from the UK couldn’t be easier, whether by road, air, rail, on the Marne-Rhine canal or the Canal de l'Est, by the River Meuse.  For train travellers it is just 1hr from Paris, 1¾hrs from Lille, 2hrs from Le Mans, 3hrs 35 mins from Nantes and Rennes via Paris and 4½hrs from Le Havre.

Meanwhile for train travellers, the newly updated East European TGV (high-speed train) brings the Meuse even closer to London via Eurostar.

More information availble on the Meuse Tourist board website

Search for French Travel information and holiday accommodation in Meuse

Given that the Meuse department sits in North-Eastern France right between the regions of Champagne and Alsace, it’s no surprise that it is noted for its production of beer and wine.

The peak of the area’s beer brewing prowess was the middle of the 19th century when more than 40 micro-regional producers distributed their boozy brews to customers.

Yet today, the development of microbreweries in the Meuse continues apace and illustrates the renewal of Meuse beers and the thirst of locals! Head for a brewery yourself to get some brewing tips and samples some.



To learn about the brewing process, don’t miss the European Beer Museum at Stenay, located in the larder of the 17th century Stenay fortress that was converted into maltings in 1879. It boasts interactive terminals, as well as evocative sounds and smells!

As for local wines, the Meuse and Côtes de Meuse vineyards produce white, red or gris (a type of rosé), with their fruit-filled flavours.

When it comes to famous local food specialities, Lorraine is the only region in the world where there is such a high concentration of Mirabelle plum trees. The production of these yellow fruits involves 27 villages and covers around 650 hectares – this flexible fruit is delicious to eat on its own as a snack, or great in sauces, tarts and jams.

The manufacture of fiery local firewater mirabelle eau de vie requires perfect-quality fruit – which means it is the only eau de vie in France that can proudly boast an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée label.

Among the area’s other gastronomic specialities, you mustn’t miss out on sampling the world famous Quiche Lorraine in situ or adding a dollop of the delicious redcurrant jam made at Bar-le-Duc to your morning croissant. Known as 'Bar Caviar', it is said to have been enjoyed by no lesser luminaries than Alfred Hitchcock and Victor Hugo!

For those seeking sustenance after a day’s adventures there’s Lorraine hotpot, a warming dish with smoked meats (another local speciality) and vegetables.

The region’s geographical character – with forests, rivers and lakes – means menus are crammed with boar, venison and freshwater fish such as trout and pike. There is also cheese and treats for the sweet-toothed such as Madeleine cakes and sugared dragées which are used for weddings, christenings or family celebrations.

Meanwhile, autumn and winter in the forest reveals the fragrant delights of truffles and an impressive selection of wild mushrooms. For insight into this longed-for tuber, head to the Maison de la truffe et de la trufficulture at Boncourt-sur-Meuse.

For more information, visit  the Lorraine's Gastronomie pages of the Meuse Tourist board

No visit to Meuse by history lovers is complete without a visit to the Verdun battlefields. Today the themed visits are threefold – choose from battle sites, cemeteries and remembrance sites.

Good example of each include: for battle sites – PC Driant, the Douaumont and Vaux Forts on the right bank; Hill 304 and Le Mort-Homme on the left bank; cemetery sites – the National Necropolis and the Douaumont Ossuary; and for remembrance – The Mémorial de Verdun, the Tranchée des Baïonnettes, the Monuments to Jews and Muslims who died for France.




With a further nod to the past, the Meuse has some splendid museums to enjoy.

At both Bar-le-Duc and Verdun you can enjoy exhibitions on subjects as diverse as archaeology, natural history, fine arts, local history, arms, coins and popular art and traditions, all at the same time.

Meanwhile elsewhere there are other diverse themes to explore. It is a strict policy of the authorities here to create a coherent network of single-themed museums. So you can indulge in your penchant for beer at Stenay, sacred art at Saint-Mihiel, Joan of Arc at Vaucouleurs, President Poincaré at Sampigny, Bastien-Lepage and fortifications at Montmédy, and ceramics and ivory at Commercy.













Lovers of the great outdoors are spoilt in Meuse. The Parc Naturel Régional de Lorraine (Lorraine regional nature reserve) is home to a rich and diversified natural and cultural heritage. It is split into two sections, lying on either side of the Nancy-Metz trunk road:

- The West zone, which stretches from the Meuse valley to the Moselle valley, and is bordered by Verdun and Metz to the north and by Toul to the south

- The East zone, which stretches from Château-Salins to Fénétrange and Sarrebourg.

The focus for visitors to the park is both fun and educational, so get stuck into some water sports at the lakes of Madine or Lachaussée or enjoy a day trip focusing on the environment, heritage and life in the region.

The region is dotted with lovely parks and gardens, so why not head for a day out at The Bussy garden at Commercy, the Varenne park at Haironville, the park of the Jean d'Heurs château at Lisle-en-Rigault, the park of the château-hôtel des Monthairons at Dieue-sur-Meuse, the park of La Grange aux Champs at Nettancourt, the park of the Thillombois château, or the Gilles de Trèves park at Ville-sur-Saulx?

Finally, why not take to the water to enjoy what gives the region its name? The River Meuse is the ideal place to hire a boat, as are the region’s two canals. Navigate your way along the Marne-Rhine canal or the Canal de l'Est, stopping off to make the most of the very beautiful marinas in several towns.

More information available on the Meuse Tourist board website

Search for holiday accommodation in Meuse

Of all the places to visit in Meuse, two are especially interesting thanks to new innovations in audio and visualguides. In the Verdun area you can use the snazzy Wizzitor audio guide to gain insight into the Fort of Douaumont.

As one of  the 19 forts protecting the city of Verdun, Fort Douaumont is a landmark in the battle of Verdun. It was probably one of the most heavily armed and for its time state of the art in terms of military defence.
 
To further explore this site the multimedia guide allows the vistors to truly understand the history of the great forts of Verdun by accessing films and photographs from this period in history as well as fascinating archival documents, comments and testimonials.

For more information on this, please contact Fort Douaumont: 0033(0) 3 29 84 41 91.


What's more the guide is free of charge. To book one visit www.connaissancedelameuse.com.

As for day trips in Meuse, the tourist office has many recommended excursions for visitors.

Among the themed day trips to consider are a day exploring the Cotes de Meuse, a day in Beer Country, Verdun and its spectacular event 'Des flammes ˆ la Lumiere' (From Flames to the Light), gastronomy and crafts in the Verdun area, Verdun's part in the First World War, a trip to the Renaissance Garden of the Champenois area of Lorraine and 'Ligny-en-Barrois under the microscope'.

As for half-day visits, try these themed trips: the Saulx Valley: the stones share their secrets and Beaulieu: Art in the Argonne area.

The tourist board has some special weekend packages that take in places such as Verdun, famed for its sugared almonds (not to mention its more well known role in the famous 1916 battle).

Go here to book


Or how about a stay in the famous Chateau de Mouzay, a great base for a tour of Argonne? Nearby in the Argonne woodland you can indulge in some hiking or mountain biking en plein air and visit the micro-brewery in Rarecourt. For more information on this package, head hear

You may want to plan your visit to Meuse to coincide with a fun event. For instance, the festival Renaissances in Bar-le-Duc (from 6th-8th July 2012) will see theatre companies, troubadours and performers take to the streets for a blend of ancient music and entertainments.


The museum can be contacted on Tel : +33 3 83 56 95 40. Please allow one hour 15 minutes for the tour.

Meuse has lots more delights for visitors. You can explore all the trip and holiday break options by visiting the tourist board's informative website

Search for French holidays accommodation in Meuse

Although perhaps synonymous with the infamous World War I battle, Verdun is also the biggest town in the Meuse department.

For many, Verdun's story is simply the most compelling from the Great War, and visitors today with a keenness for understanding the war have plenty of options, from battlefield visits to cemeteries.


However, you should take time to explore the city itself, with its architectural treasures such as the cathedral and Episcopal palace that houses the world peace centre. Also worth a visit is the Museum Princerie, a 16th century town house that contains a fine collection of romanesque and gothic sculptures as well as pottery from the Argonne region.

Verdun may be the largest of the department's towns but its capital is Bar-le-Duc, situated between Reims and Nancy. The town is the only one in Lorraine to boast the title 'Ville d'art et d'histoire' (Town of Art and history), and is also one of the 'Most Beautiful Detours in France'.

Spread out along the River Ornain, the town was for a long time the capital of the powerful and independent Duchy of Bar. Explore its remarkable Renaissance quarter before heading up to the higher town.

Here you will find architectural riches such in and around Place St-Pierre. The great Renaissance heritage includes magnificent freestone homes. And don't miss the Musee Barrois to learn a little about the area.

Down in the Lower Town, meanwhile, you can enjoy the town's history a wool making and textile hub with a visit to the famous Bergere de France factory.


Elsewhere in the area, beer lovers should make a beeline for the town of Stenay, which is home to an excellent museum devoted to the craft of brewing through the ages. The European Beer Museum a name which reflects the place's size and scope has fine exhibitions and modern interactive elements, not to mention some old marketing and advertising prints.

Commercy is a town famous for its excellent madeleine cakes, first created in the kitchens of King Stanislas in the middle of the 18th century. Head for the two producers keeping this sweet tradition alive today. In the town you can also visit the aforementioned King's chateau, which although burned down in 1944, has been fully restored. He was the deposed king of Poland but also father-in-law of King Louis XV of France.


Heading further back in time, head to the well preserved citadel at Montmedy, one the most important buildings in northeast France. Vauban played a part in modifying its ramparts and designing the barracks in the 17th century. Use the audio guide to learn more or visit the town's two museums.

One other place to include on a must-visit Meuse list in Vaucouleurs, located in the southeast of the department. Its most celebrated historical link is to Joan of Arc. She stayed in the town for several months during 1428 and 1429 while she sought permission to visit the royal court of Charles VII of France. Head to the museum dedicated to the heroine.

Seach for French holidays accommodation in the Meuse

Chances are that when you head to Meuse for a family break you will be out and about soaking up the very best that nature can offer. The opportunities for active breaks are endless – take your pick from a bit of leisurely fun for all the family such as horse-riding or a gentle canoeing excursion on the Marne, the Ornain or the Meuse rivers.

Or why not crank up the adrenaline for some faster-paced action? Covering 77 km, the Mirabelle trail enables you to set out on horseback or mountain bike on an exploration of the Côtes de Meuse and the Hauts de Meuse regions. There is an organized two-day trip with accommodation in a trekking lodge or a hotel. Great for active Mums and Dads, plus older children with a bit of stamina!

Cycling holidays: The region is really well suited to keen bikers. With its network of short routes alternating between forests, farming and meadows
, there are trails for all levels with a fresh view around every bend. The added bonus of course is that there are few traffic lights to halt your progress!

Try The Voie Verte greenway (29 km long and minimum width 2.5 metres) for starters – it begins at Fains-les-Sources and ends at Naix-aux-Forges, the site of an important Gallo-Roman town, Nasium.

If the weather is fine during your visit, head to Colvert Leisure Centre at Bonzée. This 30-hectare fun park is set around a nine hectare lake. It provides fun on many fronts: swimming, fishing, hire of pedalos and canoes, tennis, water slide, football, basketball and pétanque and table tennis.

Finally, with other activities such as golf and paintballing, not to mention many fishing beauty spots (perfect for a spot of father and son bonding!) there really is no excuse to not head to Meuse to explore the delights of the French countryside eat its best!

Search for French holidays accommodation in the Meuse