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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The main recipe and departmental direction of the Poste de Bourges is a historic monument built during the first quarter of the 20th century. Initiated in 1913 according to the plans of architect Henri Tarlier, the site was interrupted by the First World War, then resumed in 1919 and finished in 1926. The building adopts a neo-Gothic style, recalling the fascist periods of communal history, while integrating a modern reinforced concrete structure and apparent masonry.

The building is distinguished by its protected facades and roofs, as well as by two remarkable stairwells: one on the north façade overlooking the rue de la Monnaie, the other at the south-east end of the wing on the adjoining square. These elements, as well as the square itself, were listed as historical monuments by order of 28 September 2004. The property is shared between the State and the commune of Bourges.

The exact address of the monument is 29 rue Moyenne and 1 rue Michel-de-Bourges, in the department of Cher (18). Henri Tarlier's architectural project illustrates a desire to reconcile tradition and modernity, inspiring medieval forms while using innovative construction techniques for the time. The location of the building, noted as "passable" (5/10) in the databases, reflects its integration into the historical urban fabric of Bourges.

The choice of a neo-Gothic style for a postal building may seem atypical, but it is part of a broader approach to valuing local heritage. At that time, Bourges, a city with a rich medieval past, sought to assert its identity through monumental public buildings. The use of reinforced concrete, still innovative in the 1910-1920s, also reflects the evolution of construction techniques and their gradual adoption in public projects.

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