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Origin and history

The Clisson Barracks, located in Pontivy, Morbihan, is a military building built in the early 19th century by Napoleon I. It is part of Napoleonville's new town project, founded by decree in 1802. The works began in 1805, using stones from the castle of Coët-en-Fao, acquired by the Marquis de Rosily in 1803. Inaugurated in 1811, it initially welcomed military troops, before being assigned in 1886 to the 2nd Regiment of Horse Fighters, which occupied it until 1927.

During the Second World War, the barracks became a mobilizing centre, then regained its military vocation in 1945 with the installation of the departmental gendarmerie. In 1955, a mobile gendarmerie squadron added, although temporarily dissolved in 1981 due to the degraded state of the site. Major restorations were carried out between 1986 and 1988, followed by energy renovations in 2018. Its Empire-style architecture consists of a three-storey central building framed by two pavilions.

The barracks owes its name to Olivier V de Clisson, companion of arms of Bertrand du Guesclin, emblematic figure of medieval Brittany. Partially classified as historical monuments in 1980 (facades and roofs), it bears witness to Napoleonic urban planning in the Breton region. Its location, on the edge of the Blavet, and its integration into Napoleonville's damier district underline its historic role in territorial planning.

The protected elements include the facades and roofs of the main building and the pavilions, inscribed by order of 14 May 1980. Today, the barracks remain a symbol of Pontivy's military and architectural heritage, combining imperial heritage and contemporary public security functions.

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