- The municipality of Bras-sur-Meuse was predestined to know a particular history, closely interwoven with the great history. Due to its geographical location, north of Verdun, it is obvious that the town had a rendezvous with History in the fall of 1914. Its remarkable site, wedged between the Meuse lined with the Canal de l'Est and the coasts of Meuse wooded areas, makes Bras-sur-Meuse today an ideal welcome point for tourists in search of the past, but also in search of adventure and discovery in this region with a rich heritage.
- History:
- The Gallo-Roman occupation is undoubtedly at the origin of the name of the current village, derived from the Gaul "Bracium" which means "valley". The Romans establish on the territory of the current commune a way connecting Verdun to Mouzon. A human group is then settled there, judging by the sarcophagus and the various objects found throughout the 20th century.
- In the Middle Ages, its name is mentioned for the first time by the bishop of Verdun Dadon (880-923), Bras belongs to a territorial unit born from the division of Verdun (843): the future "Lotharingie" or Lorraine. In 1493, the village obtained its emancipation charter and was part of a complex administrative network that continued under the Ancien Régime, which linked it to Verdun or Charny for the various businesses that occupied it.
- In modern times, Bras-sur-Meuse was conquered by France with the bishopric of Verdun. The situation of Bras, on the outskirts of this fortified city, turns out to be dramatic for the village which is plundered with each military operation targeting Verdun, especially during the Thirty Years' War (attack of 1638).
- The French Revolution brings war to Bras. During the siege of Verdun in 1792, the village hosted the command post of the Prussian army, the Duke of Brunswick stayed there until the surrender of Verdun on September 2. History sadly seems to repeat itself in 1870 when the Prussians besieged Verdun once again. The Treaty of Versailles of February 1871 saw the border position of Verdun reinforced with the amputation of Alsace and Moselle from France. At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Bras opened up to progress and took part in the policy of fortifying the eastern border.
- Bras-sur-Meuse therefore has a rich past by 1914, mainly due to the proximity of Verdun, in the best as in the worst, the destinies of the two municipalities are extremely linked. With the start of the fighting, waves of refugees passed through Bras. Garrison village, Bras receives the President of the Republic Raymond Poincaré who reviews the troops. At the beginning of 1916, the inhabitants of Les Bras were evacuated. In February, the German offensive began, preceded by a rolling artillery fire that razed the town. During the Battle of Verdun, the territory of the municipality is integrated into a line of defense. The village of Bras-sur-Meuse did not come to life again until 1919, with the return of the population. The human toll is tragic, 19 inhabitants of Bras died for France. Reconstruction is organized, the town welcomes foreign workers to help clean up the site or build village buildings.
- Bras begins to live again to the rhythm of the army during "the funny war". The attack began in May 1940, Bras was bombed several times. The evacuated population fled to the Vosges, then intercepted by the Germans, they had to turn around, losing their mayor, G. Lecouturier illustrious recipient of the Legion of Honor. The Germans make Bras their Kommandantur. The village was liberated on September 1, at the same time as Verdun by the GI's. May 1945 saw the return of French prisoners to the village, and three names added to the war memorial.
- After the war, life continues for the village of Meuse. Agricultural activity is marked by the installation of departmental level bodies.
- The village has the honor of welcoming important personalities for various reasons linked to the economy or to the ceremony: Jacques Chirac (1973), Valéry Giscard d'Estaing with Pierre Méhaignerie (1977), François Mitterrand (1981) and Philippe Vasseur (1996).
- Education is also a key sector for the municipality. Regarding private education, in 1966, the Family Houses, which will become the current Maison Familiale Rurale.
- Bras is also a village which sees a lot of tourists who are looking for various activities. The tourist offer of Bras has therefore grown, there are fishing routes, hiking and mountain biking routes.
- The village of Bras-sur-Meuse has a strong Meuse identity (important agricultural center as well as a place conducive to green tourism) and is also an important crossing point towards Verdun. At present, Bras combines these assets and tends to become "the city in the countryside". Fun or memory-focused activities are offered to visitors who come to discover this space which will eventually become the "city garden".
