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Origin and history

Hotel de l'Escale is an iconic Renaissance building located in the upper town of Bar-le-Duc, in the department of Meuse (Great East). Built between the end of the 16th century and the beginning of the 17th century, it is distinguished by its stone architecture of Savonnières, typical of the hotels of the region, and its roof of slates with two sides. Its facade, organized on three floors, is rhythmized by Corinthian columns separating the windows, while a frieze decorated with short warrior motifs between each level. Gargoyles, partially preserved, border the roof, adding to its historical character.

The Hotel de l'Escale has been listed as a Historic Monument since December 30, 1992 and is protected for its facade, roof and vaulted room on the ground floor, including a fireplace. The building is located at 41 rue des Ducs-de-Bar, in an area close to the old city walls. Its name probably evokes a reception or stop function, although the sources do not specify its original use. The Savonnières stone, used for its construction, was a material popular in the region for prestigious buildings.

The Hôtel de l'Escale is part of the architectural heritage of Bar-le-Duc, a city marked by its ducal history and its strategic position in Lorraine. At the time of its construction, the region was under the influence of the Dukes of Bar and then integrated into the Kingdom of France. The private hotels of this period reflected the social status of their owners, often nobles or wealthy bourgeois. Their architecture mixed classical influences and symbolic decorations, such as the frieze's warrior motifs, recalling the frequent conflicts of the time.

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