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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The House of the King of St.Mihiel, built in the 14th century, is a four-body building organized around a central courtyard. Its main facade, devoid of spans, reflects an orderly elevation characteristic of medieval civil architecture. The first known owner, Henriet Almusse, is the original sponsor. The building was then acquired by Jean de Mandres, Governor of Mandres-aux-four-Tours, who probably gave it its present form at the 14th and 15th century hinge.

In 1428, King René, Duke of Bar, bought the house for 1000 francs, which was called the King's house. At that time, it included a staircase in a tower, a vaulted chapel, a reception room illuminated by eleven crosses, and a dovecote. The building became a place of power, welcoming in the 16th century the Duke Antoine de Lorraine during the Grands Jours, an exceptional court of justice, before sheltering the provost.

Despite repairs in 1583, considered considerable, the building was sold in 1587 to Regnault de Gournay, a baili of Nancy, to avoid its ruin. He then passed into the hands of the Barrois-Manonville family (from 1600), which carried out two work campaigns in the 17th and 18th centuries, modifying the facades. Briefly occupied by the annunciades (1621–26), the house remained in this family until 1859, before being ceded to the Defugs. In the 19th century, new bays were pierced on the side façade.

The façade of the House of the King is classified as Historic Monument by order of 10 September 1913. Its history reflects the political and social changes of Lorraine, from medieval merchants to the Dukes of Bar, to local noble families. Today, it bears witness to Gothic civil architecture and its adaptation to later times.

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