Saint-Dizier, the starting point for the route de la Fonte d’Art, is a city of character, forged by its atypical history and unique industrial heritage. Beautiful natural spaces (parks, promenades, banks of the Marne) rub shoulders with a number of emblematic sites that recall each historical period through which the town has passed. Saint-Dizier is a lively city, alive to the rhythm of its major musical and cultural events.
Place Aristide Saint Dizier Pascal Bourguignon Coll.ot Lac Du DerUnder the reign of Philippe Auguste, King of France, Gui II de Dampierre, a powerful seigneur, decided to build a fortified castle in the 12th century, along with the Church of Notre Dame. The town was equipped with ramparts to defend the gates of the kingdom of France, becoming a powerful royal stronghold until the end of the 18th century.
The siege of 1544 is the best-known event in the history of Saint-Dizier, and was undoubtedly one of the high points of the 1542-1544 campaign between Charles V and Francis I. The latter, in gratitude to the city for its heroic resistance to the invaders, allowed it to bear its own arms.
In 1775, a terrible fire that started in front of Notre-Dame church destroyed two-thirds of the town.
The inhabitants of Saint-Dizier are called Bragards. The origin of the name “Bragards”: According to a tenacious legend, it was King François 1er who, on learning of the town’s resistance, exclaimed “Ah! les braves gars” (“Ah! the brave lads”) in reference to the inhabitants. This is how Bragard came to be known. But there is no official proof of this name.
Halles Saint Dizier Olivier MathiotteIn the 19th century, Saint-Dizier became the cradle of cast iron, so much so that the price of iron was fixed here. Numerous ornamental cast irons (balconies, candelabras, benches, etc.) designed by Hector Guimard, a major architect of Art Nouveau in France, were installed in the town and can still be seen today. These cast irons, as well as the famous Wallace fountains and Parisian metro entrances, were cast in the region’s foundries.
In the 20th century, another industrial adventure emerged in Saint-Dizier. In 1951, Luis Ortiz launched Miko® ice cream, a product that has long made Saint-Dizier famous the world over. The famous tower on the banks of the Champagne-Burgundy canal now houses a multiplex cinema. On the first floor, there’s an exhibition on the Miko® epic.
Wallace fountain Saint Dizier
Tour Miko Pascal Bourguignon Coll.ot Lac Du Der
Saint-Dizier has two Wallace fountains, one near the Château de la Sous-Préfecture and the other in front of the SNCF train station. Today, they are produced some 30 kilometers from Saint-Dizier at the GHM foundries in Sommevoire.
World-famous and present in many French towns, they can also be found in a dozen countries around the globe (USA, Canada, Spain, Brazil, China, Jordan…).
In popular culture, Wallace Fountains can be seen in the film Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018), enabling wizards to gain access to the Ministry of Magical Affairs.
Officially created in 1951 on the outskirts of Saint-Dizier, Base Aérienne 113 is the first in France to be equipped with the Rafale, the Air Force’s technological flagship. A national defense base, BA 113 is home to some 50 fighter aircraft and almost 2,000 jobs.
On special occasions, BA 113 opens its doors to the public (open days, tours, etc.).
What must you see or do in Saint-Dizier? Here you’ll find our recommendations for having a great time in the town, and making sure you don’t miss out on any of its monuments and landmarks. Thanks to our tour “Au fil des rues de Saint-Dizier”, you can see the essentials in just 1 hour.
The Château, completed in 1228, and the walk along the ramparts are a must-see in Saint-Dizier.
When the town became part of the royal domain in 1488, its position as a frontier town meant that it had to retain its ramparts. It was this position that led to the siege of 1544.
During the time of the Seigneurie and the royal domain, the château was a defensive structure improved by the Italian engineer Girolamo Marini, who added bastions.
Famous personalities have stayed here, including King François 1er, Charles Quint, Marie Stuart, Henri IV, Marie de Medicis and Louis XIII.
The fire of 1775 led to a number of changes, including the destruction of the castle’s defensive structure.
During the Revolution, it became “national property”, then a private mansion, and until the 20th century underwent various embellishments that altered the original edifice.
In 1947, the offices of the Sous-Préfecture and the apartment of the Sous-Préfet were moved into the château.
This square is a real place of life and heritage. On one side is the Hôtel de Ville, on the other the Théâtre de Saint-Dizier, and between the 2 buildings, the monument commemorating the siege of 1544. The latter commemorates the resistance of the town’s inhabitants to the imperial armies of Charles V.
In the foreground are the three commanding officers of Saint-Dizier during the battle: the Comte de Sancerre, Captain Lalande and Engineer Marini. In the background are resistance fighters, soldiers, women and children. Behind this bronze, on a pedestal symbolizing the ramparts, stands a statue of a young woman personifying the City of Saint-Dizier.
Saint-Dizier’s theater is located on the site of the former Halle au Blé, built in 1860. The façade forms a counterpart to the Hôtel de Ville, in the neo-classical style in vogue under Napoleon III.
The building was converted into an Italian-style theater in 1906. It opened on January 04, 1908 with a play by Henry Bernstein: Le bercail.
The theater flourished with the arrival of major theater companies from the Paris region, including the Odéon, the Comédie Française and the Théâtre Édouard VII.
During the First World War, it was requisitioned, but the authorities allowed a few performances of what was known as the Théâtre aux armées.
In 2008, the theater underwent renovation and refurbishment. A total of 334 spectators can be accommodated for the performances, which are part of the cultural program of the town of Saint-Dizier.
The Parc du Jard in Saint-Dizier is one of the city’s most emblematic green spaces. Situated on the banks of the River Marne and just a stone’s throw from the town center, it offers a multitude of activities for families and young people, including games and a skate park. The Jard est parc is a place of relaxation and leisure appreciated by residents and visitors alike.
Numerous events take place here all year round. In summer, it’s not uncommon to find a guinguette, but above all it’s the venue for the annual Festival Musical’Été, the town’s biggest event. For three days at the beginning of July, several stars of French chanson perform free concerts, attracting huge crowds. Over 30,000 people are expected to attend, as was the case for Slimane’s concert in 2024.
Located in the La Noue district, this atypical house stands out for its bright colors. It’s on the corner of a “voyotte” (a small alleyway whose name comes from a distortion of “voie à hotte”, as winegrowers used to reach their vineyards via these narrow, hood-width streets).
This very special 1950s house in the Art Naïf style was designed by Marcel Dhièvre. The decor is made up of pieces of plate, reinforced cement sculptures and paintings. Several symbols of Paris can be seen, including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Assemblée Nationale and a bridge over the Seine.
Every inch of the façade is decorated with the artist’s favorite themes, namely nature and abstract motifs.
Long unoccupied, the building was falling into disrepair. The town of Saint-Dizier bought it in 2014. The building was then transformed into a cultural community bar. Numerous events such as conferences, concerts and shows take place in this new venue for festivities and culture.
