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Origin and history

The Hôtel des Deux Ponts, also known as the Hôtel du Gouverneur militaire, is an emblematic building in Strasbourg, built in 1754-1755 in the Regency style. Commanded by the Gayot brothers, including François-Marie, royal pretort, he was erected by architect Joseph Massol and master mason Georges Muller. Its main entrance overlooks Brûlée Street, while its French garden opens onto Broglie Square. Dedicated to Minerva, goddess of wisdom, the hotel embodies the aristocratic opulence of the 18th century Alsatian.

In 1770 François-Marie Gayot, appointed intendant of the armies, sold the hotel to Duke Christian IV of Deux-Ponts, who left him in 1780 to his nephew, Maximilien-Joseph. The latter, colonel of the regiment of Alsace and popular for his jovial character and his mastery of the local dialect, sumptuously decorated the places before leaving France in 1792 with his furniture. During the Revolution, the hotel became the "House of Equality", home to a estaminet, then a circus and fairground huts under the Executive Board.

Repurchased by the State in 1823, the hotel was transformed into a residence for the military governor of Strasbourg, a role he retained until today, except during the German annexations. Symbol of the French military presence in Alsace, it also houses the General Staff of the 5th Division. Ranked a historic monument in 1921, its French-style floor and facades are protected. Located at 13 rue Brûlée, it plays a major protocol role in the European capital.

The garden, redesigned in the 19th century after the removal of a wing, preserves a central basin surrounded by grasses and flats. Although its original layout is still partially unknown, restorations in 1993 helped restore its classical spirit. Today owned by the Ministry of the Army, the hotel remains a prestigious place, linked to figures such as Marshal Leclerc, whose nearby monument at Place Broglie commemorates the oath of Koufra.

Military governors, from Marshal of Chamilly (1681) to General Régis Anthonioz (since 2024), have marked his history. Their role, both operational and symbolic, reinforces the link between the army and the city. The hotel, witness to the political and military upheavals of Alsace, also embodies the resilience of Strasbourg, especially after the wars of the 20th century.

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