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Origin and history

The House of the Bailiwick of Vézelise, built in the 4th quarter of the 16th century, is an emblematic hotel of the city. According to the archives, it was erected in 1561 by a bailiff officer, probably Henry Gruyer, then attorney general. Although often mistakenly associated with Duke Charles III, no evidence confirms his involvement. The Renaissance-style building initially had a second pavilion, destroyed during the bombing on 15 June 1940. Its roof, partly in hollow tiles, protects a rebuilt wall after this destruction.

The structure underwent two major restorations, in 1764 and in 1892, preserving its original architectural features. The main body, covered with a rumped roof, housed the main rooms, while the span of the entrance gate could have been surmounted by a long-paned roof or an appentis. Classified as a Historical Monument by order of 12 December 1930, the house bears witness to the administrative and judicial importance of Vézelise under the Old Regime, as the seat of the local bailiff.

Today, the Bailiwick House remains a symbol of the Lorraine heritage, marked by the vicissitudes of history, from the wars of Religion to the conflicts of the twentieth century. Its current address, 9200 Rue Louis and Félix Moreau, makes it a central point of interest in the urban landscape of Vézelise, department of Meurthe-et-Moselle. The protected elements include the entire building, a reflection of the refined civil architecture of the late Renaissance.

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