Langres () is a commune in northeastern France. It is a subprefecture of the department of Haute-Marne, in the region of Grand Est.
History
As the capital of the Romanized
Gauls tribe known as the
Lingones, it was called Andematunnum, then Lingones, and now Langres.
A hilltop town, Langres was built on a limestone promontory of the same name. This stronghold was originally occupied by the Lingones. At a later date the Romans fortified the town, which they called Andemantunum, located at a strategic crossroads of twelve . The first-century Triumphal Gate and the many artefacts exhibited in the museums are remnants of the town's Gallo-Roman history. After the period of invasions, the town prospered in the Middle Ages, due in part to the growing political influence of its bishops. The diocese covered Champagne, the Duchy of Burgundy, and Franche-Comté, and the bishops obtained the right to coin money in the ninth century and to name the military governor of the city in 927. The Bishop of Langres was a duke and peer of France. The troubled 14th and 15th centuries caused the town to strengthen its defenses, which still give the old city its fortified character, and Langres entered a period of royal tutelage. The Renaissance, which returned prosperity to the town, saw the construction of numerous fine civil, religious and military buildings that still stand today. In the 19th century, a "Vauban" citadel was added.
Main sights
Langres has a historic town center surrounded by
with a dozen towers and seven gates.
The cathedral of Saint-Mammès is a late 12th-century structure dedicated to Mammes of Caesarea, a 3rd-century martyr.
Culture
Langres is home to producers of an AOC-protected cheese of the same name. It is a soft, pungent cow's milk cheese that is known for its rind, which is washed.
The town was long known for its cutlery industry. Didier Diderot, father of encyclopedist Denis Diderot, was a cutler.
A museum called the Denis Diderot House of Enlightenment opened in 2013. This museum, set up in a private mansion from the 16th and 18th centuries, is dedicated to the philosopher Denis Diderot.
Housing
In August 2025, the Langres town hall announced the demolition of the Navarre building, better known as the Banane, for September 2025.
Population
Notable people
Langres was the birthplace of:
-
Nicolas Ribonnier (ca.1525–1605), Renaissance architect
-
Jeanne Mance (1606–1673), the co-founder of Montreal
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Claude Gillot (1673–1722), Painting
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Denis Diderot (1713–1784), the philosopher of the Age of Enlightenment, and the editor-in-chief of the Encyclopédie.
-
Étienne Jean Bouchu (1714–1773), metallurgist and Encyclopédiste
-
Nicolas Fallet (1746–1801), playwright and journalist
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Joseph-Philibert Girault de Prangey (1804–1892), photographer and draughtsman
-
Jules Violle (1841–1923), physicist and inventor
-
Guy Fréquelin (born 1945), rally driver
-
Thoinot Arbeau, who went by the pen name Thoinot Arbeau and wrote Orchésographie, a book on dance and music.
Climate
Located in the north-east quarter of France, Langres is under the influence of both an
oceanic climate and a humid continental climate with no dry season. Winters are cold and snowy (33.4 days of snow per year on average) but interspersed with periods of light thaw and summers are mild and even pleasant with average maximum temperatures around .
International relations
Langres is twinned with:
See also
-
Bishopric of Langres
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The Langres war memorial has a sculpture by Georges Saupique
Gallery
File:Langres entry.jpg|Road sign announcing improvements to the Citadel of Langres
File:Langres_-_cathédrale_Saint-Mammès_-_façade_2.jpg|Saint-Mammès Cathedral
File:Langres_-_cathédrale_Saint-Mammès_-_2.jpg|Saint-Mammès Cathedral
File:Langres_-_cathédrale_Saint-Mammès_-_7.jpg|Saint-Mammès Cathedral
File:Langres_-_cathédrale_Saint-Mammès_-_8.jpg|Saint-Mammès Cathedral
File:Langres_-_cathédrale_Saint-Mammès_-_cloitre.jpg|Saint-Mammès Cathedral Cloister
File:Cloitre.Langres.png|Saint-Mammès Cathedral Cloister
File:Langres_-_cathédrale_Saint-Mammès_-_12.jpg|Bas relief at Saint-Mammès Cathedral
File:Langres_-_la_porte_des_Moulins_1.jpg|Moulins Gate
File:Langres_-_la_porte_des_Moulins_2.jpg|Moulins Gate
File:Langres_-_la_porte_des_Moulins_3.jpg|Moulins Gate
File:Langres_-_Remparts_2.jpg|Ramparts of the Citadel
File:Langres_-_Rempats_et_panoramics.jpg|Ramparts and Funicular
File:Langres_-_Tour_Saint-Ferjeux.jpg|Saint-Ferjeux Tower
File:Langres_-_tour_de_Navarre_et_d'Orval.jpg|Navarre and d'Orval Tower
File:Langres_-_tour_de_Navarre_et_d'Orval_-_30.jpg|Navarre and d'Orval Tower
File:Langres_-_tour_de_Navarre_et_d'Orval_-_charpente_2.jpg|Navarre and d'Orval Tower ceiling framework
File:Langres_-_tour_de_Navarre_et_d'Orval_-_cul_de_lampe.jpg|Navarre and d'Orval Tower torch holder
File:Langres_-_tour_de_Navarre_et_d'Orval_-_cule_de_lampe2.jpg|Navarre and d'Orval Tower torch holder
File:Langres_-_tour_de_Navarre_et_d'Orval_-_gargouille.jpg|Navarre and d'Orval Tower gargoyle
File:Langres_-_tour_de_Navarre_et_d'Orval_-_mur_7_metres.jpg|Navarre and d'Orval Tower
File:Langres_-_tour_de_Navarre_et_d'Orval_-_niveau_inferieur.jpg|Navarre and d'Orval Tower
File:Langres_-_tour_de_Navarre_et_d'Orval_-_niveau_intermediaire_2.jpg|Navarre and d'Orval Tower
File:Langres_-_tour_de_Navarre_et_d'Orval_-_puits.jpg|Navarre and d'Orval Tower well
File:Langres_-_tour_de_Navarre_et_d'Orval_-_voute_3_4.jpg|Navarre and d'Orval Tower vaulted arch
File:Langres_-_Ancien_collège_Jésuite.jpg|Former Jesuit College
File:Langres_-_cave_Maison_Renaissance.jpg|Renaissance cellar
File:Ln portehoteldeville 2308.jpg|Entrance to City Hall
File:Langres_-_Denis_Diderot.jpg|Statue of Denis Diderot
File:Langres_-_Maison_Renaissance_2.jpg|Renaissance period mansion
File:Langres_-_maison_renaissance_rue_Saint_Didier.jpg|Renaissance period mansion
File:Langres_-_Square_Claude-Henriot_2.jpg|Henriot Square
File:Langres_-_église_Saint-Martin_2.jpg|Saint-Martin Church
External links
