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Origin and history

The former Stengel Barracks, located in the St. James district of Amiens, was built between 1768 and 1773 at the location of the former hotel of Cerisy. Destined to house the bodyguards of the king of the Luxembourg company, it was designed by the Scottish engineer Oudot de Maclaurin, with a direction of the works performed by the Amien hydraulician Jumel-Riquier. Its sober architecture, decorated with military trophies carved by François Cressent, reflected the prestige of this royal garrison.

As a victim of the German bombings of 19 May 1940, the barracks were almost completely destroyed, leaving only its white stone façade. It was listed as a historic monument in 1966 and was restored in 1968. The original decorations, including triangular frontons and bas-reliefs of weapons and musical instruments, today recall its initial military use. The reconstructed building now houses housing.

Originally, the barracks consisted of six stables and two side buildings, organized to house soldiers, horses and equipment. The four floors of the residential buildings were divided into housing units, stopping rooms and storage facilities. The present façade, on Martin-Bleu-Dieu Street, remains the only visible vestige of this 18th century military complex, symbol of Amienese urbanism under the Old Regime.

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