Ligny-en-Barrois

Ligny-en-Barrois was the capital of a county on the Ornain, held for generations by the house of Luxembourg. Its fortified medieval castle and town lay between powers whose rivalry repeatedly brought armies into the region. The Tour Valéran, named for one of its counts, formed part of the medieval defences.

In 1544 the troops of Emperor Charles V besieged and destroyed Ligny. Marguerite of Savoy, who administered the county after the terrible disaster, helped rebuild the town. She restored its parish church in Gothic style and founded religious and charitable institutions, including a house for widows, a college and an Hôtel-Dieu hospital. The county remained with the Luxembourg family until 1719, before passing to the duke of Lorraine and ultimately to France.