Gallics occupied early the langrois spur dominating the valleys of the Marne and the Bonnelle at an altitude of 457 metres. Following to the conquest of the Gaul in 52 before Jesus Christ, the Romans gave to the city its first strategic vocation. So, the major city of Lingons, named Andemantunnum is at the head of a huge territory and constitutes the crossroads of numerous communication routes. At this time, a monumental bow marked the access West of the city. But the main part of our knowledge lives in the examination of lapidaries collections, more than 500 units listed, and in the discoveries brought by the contemporary archaeology : Bacchus’ mosaic, funerals steles… iddle Ages
At the 4th century, under the troubled times of the late Empire, Langres sees appear its first fortifications in the North and become the seat of an important bishop’s palace. At the 13th and 14th centuries, the walls adapt to the city growth, including the new districts which are extended towards the South. Until the Revolution, the city will develop itself through the impetus given by the aldermen, and the bishops with powers huge which govern the diocese. On the borders of the Kingdom of France, the city become a big royal fortified town at the 15th century, thus facing with Burgundy, Franche-Comté and Lorraine.
enaissance
At this time, real explosion of the arts, the city preserves beautiful architectural vestiges, probably owed to the presence of numerous antiques which did not miss to inspire the contemporaries.
The Givry Cardinal, bishop from 1529 to 1561, was the outstanding Episcopal figure of this period. Big patron, he furthered the development of the art nouveau to his closes and in the city. Therefore, the city smartens up parallel to the reinforcement of its fortifications made necessary by the progress of the artillery. he 17th – 18th centuries
The occupation of the Lorraine (1670-1698) and the integration of the Franche-Comté (1678) brought a lasting peace, but tolled the knell of the langroise fortified town. The creation of the Dijon’s diocese in 1731 at the expense of Langres’, contributed to the decline of the city which saw its population stagnate. In spite of everything, the important part of prestigious bishops as Sébastien Zamet , brought about the implantation of numerous convents in Langres ; they came to complete the important strength of religious congregations already installed and generated a strong artistic emulation. he 19th century
Integrated within the defensive system of the East in France, Langres is classified fortified town of first category in 1840. It finds its ancient defensive vocation. Big works are realized by the genius : construction of a huge citadel in the South of the city, restoration and construction of fortifications within a radius of 13 km.
he 20th century
The opening of the line Paris-Mulhouse in 1858 and the canal from the Marne to the Saône in 1907 did not boost the economy and the demography. Trends will be rushed only at the middle of 1950s with the implantation of important industrial units jobs creative. So the city grew outside of the ramparts creating new districts towards the South. Today, Langres is a city of 10000 inhabitants, sub-prefecture of Haute-Marne department. Often threatened, sometimes besieged but never taken, it knew, in its civil, military and religious architecture, preserve jealously its traces of this long past.
Office de Tourisme du Pays de Langres - BP16 - 52201 Langres cedex - Tél : 03 25 87 67 67 - Fax : 03 25 87 73 33
allo-Roman time
iddle Ages
enaissance
he 17th – 18th centuries
he 19th century
he 20th century
