Haute-Marne

Haute-Marne is located in northeastern France, in the Grand Est region, with the small town of Chaumont as its capital. It is a sparsely populated, rural department, much of it covered by forests, lakes, and agricultural plateaus. Its economy combines agriculture, traditional metalworking (foundries), and forestry. Haute-Marne is known as the birthplace of General Charles de Gaulle (Colombey-les-Deux-Églises), and its cost of living is very low, although it is one of the least populated and least known departments in France.

Chaumont, Saint-Dizier, Langres

• Institut universitaire à Chaumont (antenne de l’URCA / établissements partenaires)

Overall, the towns of Haute-Marne are calm, sparsely populated, and relatively safe. As in most rural areas of France, urban crime is lower than in major cities, though ordinary caution is advisable in the cheapest neighborhoods or around train stations.

Transportation relies primarily on TER Grand Est trains and regional buses, which connect Chaumont to Dijon, Troyes, and other cities. A light bus network operates within the towns.