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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Ney Barracks, also known as the Engineering Barracks, was built in the 19th century in the city centre of Metz, near the Ney arsenal. At that time, Metz was a major garrison town and the French capital of the "Scientific Arms", housing since 1720 the School of Artillery and Engineering. The construction of a engineering barracks is therefore naturally part of this military and strategic context.

The earthworks began in 1833, but the actual construction lasted from 1841 to 1844, under the direction of Colonel Firmin-Claude Parnajon. The building adopts a "U" shape of 170 meters long by 95 meters wide. In 1854, the brothers Antoine and François-Désiré Husson, as well as Gustave Hennequin, realized the trophies of arms in high reliefs that adorn the entrance of the barracks, elements now classified.

The barracks has several military occupations throughout the conflicts. From the first Annexion, it was renamed Kaiser Wilhelm Kaserne by the Germans and was home to the 130th Infantry Regiment. Returned to France in 1919, it was again occupied by the German army in 1940, before being reinvested by the French forces in November 1944. Its high reliefs have been listed as historical monuments since 1929. Today, it hosts Defence services, including Army Light Aviation Command from 2025.

Located at 5 Ney Avenue, the barracks illustrate the military heritage of Metz, between French and German periods. Its architecture and sculptures bear witness to the history of Lorrain, linked both to the technical innovations of engineering and to the geopolitical upheavals of the region.

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