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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Desvallières barracks, originally called La Ronde Kaserne, were built between 1876 and 1878 in Metz-Devant-les-Ponts, during the German annexation of Lorraine. Designed by architect Heinrich Rettig, it replaced a 17th century castle, the castle of La Ronde, destroyed for its construction. It was dedicated to cavalry and housed 18 buildings around two squares: a quadrangular courtyard serving as a place for weapons and a triangular courtyard used as an exercise ground. The site extended over several hectares, marking one of the first German military achievements in Moselle.

During the German period (1871–1918) Metz became a strategic bastion of the Empire, sheltering up to 25,000 soldiers. The barracks included the 9th Dragon Regiment and the 8th Artillery Regiment on foot. Renamed the Desvallières Barracks in 1918 in tribute to General Pierre-Emile des Vallières, it retained a military vocation until the 1990s, when it was under French occupation and later German occupation during World War II. After 1945, it will house units such as the 23rd RI or the music of the 6th military region.

Disused in 2009, the barracks were partially listed as historical monuments in 2021 for its facades, roofs and central passageway. Purchased in 2016 by Lorraine's public land establishment for the city of Metz, it is the subject of a conversion project. However, several buildings were destroyed in 2017, altering the consistency of the original plan. Its wooded complex, including a remarkable black pine, and its military history make it a major heritage site for the development of the neighbourhood.

The current project aims to integrate this heritage into the urban dynamics of Metz, despite the challenges posed by its size and state. The barracks symbolizes both the Franco-German military heritage of the region and the contemporary challenges of preserving and reusing urban wasteland.

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