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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Gargan hotel, currently referred to as the Hannels residence, is a private hotel located in Nexirue, Metz Centre. This 15th century Gothic building illustrates the prosperity of the Messina bourgeoisie at the end of the Middle Ages. Its facades are distinguished by a crenelated wall-screen concealing a low roof, and bays adorned with flamboyant Gothic tympanos, one of which bears a marteled date, partially legible (1578). These architectural elements allow to date precisely the original building.

In the 17th century, the hotel houses a palm playroom, where Henry IV would have played during his visit to Metz in 1603. This hall was then transformed into a theatre at the end of the 17th century, serving as a venue for performances until the inauguration of the municipal theatre in 1752, Place de la Comédie. This change in usage reflects the evolution of cultural practices in the city, then undergoing social and urban change.

The Gargan hotel is part of a historical context marked by the enrichment of the Messina bourgeoisie between the 13th and 15th centuries. Metz, then oligarchic republic with nearly 30,000 inhabitants, has an economic golden age thanks to its famous fairs and currency, accepted throughout Europe. The construction of many patrician hotels, such as Gargan, bears witness to this opulence and the influence of the city.

The Gargan Hotel has been listed as a historic monument since October 3, 1929, and has a facade on protected street. Its history is documented by local works such as Auguste Prost (1863) and Alphonse Brémont (1878), which emphasize its importance in the Messin architectural heritage. Today, it embodies both the past prestige of Metz and the urban transformations of the city throughout the centuries.

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