Circuit de découverte d'Arc-en-Barrois

Welcome to Arc-en-Barrois! Nestling in a narrow valley, the town enjoys an exceptional natural setting in the heart of the National Forest Park. Arc's charm lies in the elegance of its old buildings, its lush greenery and flowers, its peace and quiet and its gentle way of life.
Rich in history, Arc-en-Barrois has preserved the evidence of past centuries, which can be discovered on a pleasant stroll. A Renaissance house, a medieval church with a tomb, a castle with vast facades, the banks of the Aujon, the Garden of the Guards, the park of the castle... all offer themselves to passers-by.
Here are a few keys to understanding its history...
Occupied since the Palaeolithic era, the area developed during the time of the Lingons, of whom Langres was the capital. A motte castrale controlled the river crossing and soon the Roman road linking Langres to Sens crossed the area. The name "Arc" comes from these origins. It is thought to be a legacy of the bridge, which has just one "arcus" to span the river, or of the motte castrale, a small fortress known in Latin as "arx".
It is a border region between the Franc, Lorraine and Burgundy kingdoms.
In the 9th century, Arc was dominated by an imposing octagonal tower built on the banks of the Aujon, and in the 11th century, Jean 1er de Broyes, known as l'Aveugle, built a fortified castle. At this time, the town was fortified. A first enclosure with a moat encompassed the castle, church and outbuildings, while a second enclosure surrounded the village. Most of these medieval features have now disappeared, with the exception of the church of Saint-Martin.
Over the centuries, a number of illustrious figures have passed through the history of the village, including the Duc de Vitry, Concino Concini's assassin, whose son had the "new castle" built in the 17th century. This building was preserved and doubled in the 19th century by Adélaïde d'Orléans, sister of King Louis-Philippe.
One of the castle's most memorable moments was its use as a military hospital during the 1914-1918 war.
Along the way, let us tell you about the riches of Arc-en-Barrois and its characters... the Prince of Joinville, Aurélie Picard "Princess of the Sands"...
Enjoy your visit!


Visit available on the free Id-Vizit app!
A real personal travel companion, Id-Vizit offers you personalised, fun and interactive tours!
+ Find out more about Id-Vizit