Vaucouleurs, Commune in the Meuse department, northeastern France
Vaucouleurs is a small town in the Meuse department of northeastern France, set on a hill above the Meuse river valley. It sits within the arrondissement of Commercy, surrounded by rolling countryside and the remains of its old fortifications.
The site was already settled in Roman times and first appeared in written records in the 9th century, growing under the protection of the Lords of Joinville. In 1365, King Charles V formally brought Vaucouleurs into the French kingdom and appointed a governor to oversee this frontier town.
Vaucouleurs is closely tied to Joan of Arc, who left through the Porte de France in 1429 after receiving permission from the local commander Robert de Baudricourt to travel to the king. Visitors today can walk through that same gate and follow the path she took out of the town.
The main historic sites are close together in the old part of town, so getting around on foot is easy. The hilltop location means some streets are steep, so comfortable shoes are a good idea before exploring.
Jeanne du Barry, the last favorite of King Louis XV, was born in Vaucouleurs in 1743 and grew up here before her rise at the court of Versailles. Her life ended during the French Revolution in 1793, making her one of the more unexpected figures to come from this small town.
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