The Barracks of Albret
Name of César d' Albret, Count de Miossans, Marshal of France, owner in 1674 of a regiment of cavalry. Year 1643 sees the construction of provisional huts for the quartering of the men of war because their lodging at the inhabitant constitutes a load crushing for the population. September 11 1673, whereas Ypres, Ghent, Bruges, Namur, Douai and Surface-on-the-Lilies have already their barracks, Saint Omer decides construction of huts and stables for 3000 men of infantry and 600 riders. To set up the barracks, the city will buy successively the grounds of the refuges of the abbeys of Piennes and Clairmarais. The plans of the building take as a starting point the the barracks of Ypres: 18 huts made up each of 2 stables for 5 to 6 horses, separated by 1 staircase leading to 4 rooms, including 2 attics in the roofs. Each room, planned for 2 double beds, comprises a chimney with toothed rack. In 1713, the barracks of Albret includes/understands 500 districts with their horses. The house of the officers of cavalry can accomodate: 1 colonel, 12 captains and 12 lieutenants. The year 1822 sees the construction of the covered horse-gear annexed to the building. After assignbeing assigned to the cavalry in garrison with Saint-Omer, the barracks was then occupied by the services of the Republican Company of Security (C.R.S.16) of January 26, 1946 to September 21, 1987.