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Champagne-Ardenne Province of France

Langres is a city and commune of eastern France. It is a sous-préfecture of the Haute-Marne département, in the Champagne-Ardenne region.

As the capital of the Romanized Celtic tribe the Lingones, it was called Andematunnum, then Lingones, and now Langres.

The town is built on limestone. This stronghold was originally occupied by the Gauls, and, at a later date the Romans fortified the town belonging to the Celtic tribe the Lingones; Andemantunum the strategic cross-roads of twelve Romans roads. The 1st century Triumphal Gate and the many artefacts exhibited in the museums are witnesses to the Gallo-Roman town.

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 gained the right to coin money in the 9th 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 were reason enough for the town to strengthen its fortifications, which still give the old part of the city its fortified character. The Renaissance, which returned prosperity to the town, saw the construction of numerous civil, religious and military buildings that still stand today. In the 19th century, a "Vauban" citadel was added.

Today Langres is a unique historical town with numerous art treasures within the ancient defensive walls surrounding the old city, including twelve towers and seven gates.

The cathedral of Saint-Mammès is a late 12th-century structure dedicated to Mammès of Caesarea, a third-century martyr.

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