MEUSE-LINE, the chain of French forts closing the passages of the Meuse between Verdun and Toul. The total length of the line is 31 m., and the forts d’arrêt are disposed along the right bank. The forts are: between Verdun and St Mihiel, Génicourt and Troyon; near St Mihiel, Les Paroches (left bank) and Camp des Romains; and near Commercy—Liouville St Agnant, Gironville and Jouy-sous-les-Côtes. Above the circle of the Toul defences there are barrier forts on the Upper Meuse at Pagny (la-Blanche-Côte) and near Neufchâteau; but these last are practically in second line, and between Toul and Épinal the frontier districts are designedly left open. At Épinal the “Moselle-Line” begins. These lines form part of the defensive scheme adopted by France in 1873–1875. Their general design is that of the French fort illustrated in Fortification and Siegecraft, fig. 43, though they are varied in accordance with the site.