Magasin aux vivres de Metz, Former military supply storehouse in Metz, France

Magasin aux vivres de Metz is a military supply storehouse built with Renaissance architectural details in its facade and structure. The rectangular building was designed with spacious interior areas for storing provisions, and it now functions as a hotel and restaurant space.

Built in 1559, the Magasin aux vivres supplied the citadel that François de Scépeaux, marshal of Vieilleville, had raised from about 1556 to hold Metz for Henri II after the 1552 siege. It kept its military storage role until the 19th century, later holding the archives of the duchies of Lorraine and Bar, then theatre sets. When the citadel was dismantled around 1860 it fell out of use, and it was listed as a monument historique on 20 January 1969.

The building shows how French military supplies were organized during the 16th century through its layout and scale. Walking through it today, you can see how the structure was designed to store and manage resources for troops.

The building is accessible to visitors through its hotel and restaurant operations. You can explore the courtyard and interior spaces when staying at the hotel or dining at the restaurant.

This storehouse ranks among the oldest military buildings from the 16th century still standing in its original form in France. Its conversion to a hotel and restaurant is an unusual way to keep a military structure active and in daily use.