Ancien arsenal des pompiers

English translation

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History

The former fire pump arsenal at Dreux was built from 1902 to 1903 by the architect DPLG (and inspector of Historic Monuments) Eugène-Edouard Avard. Executed in masonry covered with a facing combining meulière, cement and polychrome brick, it appears representative of public buildings erected by E.-E. Avard, with here a decorative richness emphasizing the monumental aspect of the building. While respecting tradition, the architect, with an economy of means that the commission required, demonstrated here both his ability to adapt to the terrain and function and, it would seem, a relatively personal manner with a predilection for polychrome decoration or elements such as keystones at the springing of arches, diamond points, etc. This building inscribed in the town of Dreux furthermore recalls the importance of works carried out in the late 19th century and early following century of which E.-E. Avard was an important craftsman. Deprived of its original purpose to be transformed into a covered market, it was disfigured in 1961 by the addition of two lateral wings which considerably diminished its interest.