DEUX, a department in the west of France, forming part of the ancient Poitou. The soil is generally good, producing grain, legumes, fruits, and wine; and yielding excellent pasturage. There are extensive forests, mines of iron and antimony, and quarries of building stone. The manufactures consist of woollens, hosiery, and leather. The extent of this department is 624,474 hectares, and the population in 1817 was 254,105. Niort is the chief town.