Ligier Richier (1500-1567): from a family of stone-cutters, he is considered as the most illustrious of the Renaissance sculptors. Most of his works are in the Meuse. Among others, there are the famous "Transi" at Bar-le Duc, the Entombment and the Fainting of the Virgin at Saint-Mihiel

Discover the Ligier Richier Route - Route Ligier Richier

 
Jean Berain, born at Saint-Mihiel in 1639, was ornamentalist to Louis XIV. He created the costumes for Lully's operas and the entertainment at the court.

Jules Bastien Lepage (1848-1884): born at Damvillers, he was a naturalist and portraitist, leader of a painting technique reconciling academism and impressionism. There is a museum devoted to him at Montmédy, and a bronze statue depicting him at Damvillers, executed by his friend, the sculptor Rodin.
At Verdun, there is another of Rodin's creations which should be mentioned. This statue - the original of which was created in 1879 - is a copy requested by the Netherlands in 1916, a year before the artist died. In 1920, the Dutch authorities offered the work to the town of Verdun. It was first sited on the Esplanade de la Roche, then installed in the Place Saint Paul.

The father of Camille Claudel, Louis-Prosper Claudel was appointed to Bar-le-Duc in 1870. Camille was taught there by the Sœurs de la Doctrine Chrétienne. Three drawings by Camille Claudel are exhibited in the Musée Barrois (Barrois Museum) at Bar-le-Duc.

Georges Bernanos (1888-1948), writer. He lived and wrote his first novel Sous le soleil de Satan (Under the Sun of Satan) at Bar-le-Duc.

Alain Fournier and his conpanions. Having disappeared in combat in 1914, the author of Les Grand Meaulnes was found again in 1991 in the forest of St Rémy. His tomb and the ditch where they were buried remain accessible to visitors.

Jean IPOUSTEGUY (1920-2006). Under his real name of Jean ROBERT, IPOUSTEGUY (from his mother's maiden name) was born at Dun-sur-Meuse in 1920. First of all well-versed in painting, which he studied at evening classes in Paris in 1938, he turned towards drawing and watercolours, then to writing. However, it is in sculpture that he really blossomed. His work quickly turned away from the pure lines inspired by Henri-Georges ADAM, and moved towards a more abrupt style that made his name world-wide. He came back to the Meuse, where his roots were, at the end of his life, and died at Doulcon on 8th February 2006.