LA RUE DES DUCS DE BAR

Old "Big Street" Main artery of the Upper Town, at the exit of the "route de France" coming from Paris, the rue des Ducs de Bar is the aristocratic street par excellence. Reflecting the wealth and grandeur of the Barrois, members of the elite had their homes built there as early as the 16th century. The Grande Rue became Rue des Ducs de Bar in 1857 in honour of the sovereigns who contributed to its embellishment. Nobles and high officials of the duchy gather in this privileged district, near the castle. From the 16th century, the buildings gradually adopted the techniques and decorations of the Renaissance despite some Gothic survivals. Participating in the Italian wars alongside the King of France, the Dukes of Bar brought back a taste of the Renaissance from their campaigns. It is likely that they were inspired by the nascent Italian town planning and tried to apply it to Bar-le-Duc. Built in fine-grained limestone from the quarry at Savonnières-en-Perthois, the residences in the Rue des Ducs de Bar form a homogeneous whole. This unity of style is accentuated by the regular alignment of the façades and openings. The private mansions are organised on three levels, the last, smallest of which forms an attic lit by small windows, often twinned. A moulded or sculpted entablature underlines the separation of the floors. Like their sovereign, the notables adorn their homes with rich architectural ornaments - pediments, pilasters or friezes - in the antique style. In detail, these residences are all unique, with their more or less rich, abundant or original decorations.