Guide to Meuse and Property for sale in Department 55

Meuse is a department in northeastern France, named after the River Meuse. The department is part of the current Grand-Est region and borders the Ardennes, Marne, Haute-Marne, and Vosges departments. Its northern edge shares a short border with Belgium. Meuse is home to several significant natural areas protected by the Parc naturel régional de Lorraine, which spans three departments. During World War I, the Meuse was the site of a significant battle/offensive in 1916, with the front lines in trench warfare running in various directions through the department. The capital and largest town in the department is Bar-le-Duc, while other notable…

Meuse is a department in northeastern France, named after the River Meuse. The department is part of the current Grand-Est region and borders the Ardennes, Marne, Haute-Marne, and Vosges departments. Its northern edge shares a short border with Belgium. Meuse is home to several significant natural areas protected by the Parc naturel régional de Lorraine, which spans three departments. During World War I, the Meuse was the site of a significant battle/offensive in 1916, with the front lines in trench warfare running in various directions through the department. The capital and largest town in the department is Bar-le-Duc, while other notable towns include Commercy and Verdun.

Rolling Hills and Forests

The department features rolling hills called the Argonne, covered with oak forests. These hills run from south to north, dividing the Seine and Rhine watersheds. Meuse also has several rivers, including the River Meuse, the Aire, and the Chiers.

Lorraine Regional Natural Park

The Meuse department also hosts the Lorraine Regional Natural Park, a large pastoral region extending eastward from Metz and Nancy across three departments. It offers a variety of habitats such as calcareous grasslands, forested valleys, wet meadows, ponds, and streams. With many Natura 2000 protected zones, the park serves as an important stopover for migratory birds.

Key Information about the Meuse (55)

• Main City/Prefecture: Bar-le-Duc
• Nearest Airport: Metz-Nancy-Lorraine Airport (approx. 100 km)
• Population: Around 184,000 (as of the latest census)
• Area: 6,211 sq. kilometres and 2,398 sq. miles
• Landmark: Verdun Battlefield, a major World War I site with memorials and museums.
• Number of Tourists/Year: Approx. 1 million, drawn by its war history, nature and medieval towns.

Property Prices in Meuse in 2026

• Houses: the average price per sq. metre: €997 (April 2026)
• Apartments: the average price per sq. metre: €999 (April 2026)
• Price trends: –3% over the last 12 months, +22% over the last 5 years (Le Figaro - April 2026)

House Prices in the Main Towns in Meuse in 2026

• Average House Price in Verdun: €1,550 per sq. metre (April 2026)
• Average House Price in Bar-le-Duc: €1,1147 per sq. metre (April 2026)

(source: Le Figaro Immobilier)

To learn more about France, explore our "at a glance" guide and infographic, which are filled with insightful facts and figures.