BAR-LE-DUC

capital of Meuse dpartement, Lorraine rgion, northeastern France. It extends out along the narrow valley of the Ornain River, west of Nancy. To the northeast is the Canal de la Marne au Rhin, on the southwest the Canal des Usines. The Ornain River valley is enclosed by wooded and vine-clad hills. From the 10th century Bar was the seat of a countship, and later a duchy. The remains of the chteau of the counts and dukes of Bar are in the upper town, along with the 15th16th-century Church of Saint-tienne and medieval houses. The Church of Notre-Dame (15th century) and the buildings housing municipal offices are in the lower town. In 1960 an industrial zone was set up to the east of the town. There is now some heavy industry and textile manufacture, although not enough to sustain any major growth of population. Pop. (1990) 18,577.