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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Domaine de la Garenne is a house built in 1897 in Liverdun for Charles-Auguste Masson, representative of the Lorraine industrial bourgeoisie of the late 19th century. This building embodies the eclectic architectural style of the time, combining classical influences and technical innovations, typical of the affluent residences of the region.

In 1904, architect Lucien Weissenburger, a major figure of the École de Nancy, took over the project and collaborated with cabinetmaker Eugène Vallin and master glassmaker Jacques Gruber for interior design. Their common work gives rise to remarkable decorations, such as the mosaics of the dining room or stained glass windows, characteristic of the Art Nouveau nancéien. These elements, still visible today, testify to the integration of the arts into domestic architecture.

The estate is partially classified as a Historical Monument in two stages: in 1994 for its facades, roofs and interior decorations (dining room, panelled lounges, stained glass windows), then in 1996 for its park including a water castle, a greenhouse and landscaped amenities. These protections highlight the heritage value of the whole, both architectural and landscape.

Since 1993, the estate has housed a Centre d'Aide par le Travail (CAT), giving this historic place a new social vocation. This reconversion illustrates the adaptation of the industrial and bourgeois heritage of the Great East to contemporary needs, while preserving its historical integrity.

The protected elements also include specific rooms such as the conference room on the second floor or all the stained glass windows, made by Jacques Gruber. These targeted protections highlight the key role of artisans in creating a distinctive regional heritage, linked to Nancy's artistic effervescence at the turn of the 20th century.

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