EWhile awaiting its rehabilitation, promised by 2028, the Benauge fire station in Bordeaux should not lack occupation. The north wing has been converted since last month into a temporary accommodation center, managed by the diaconate. And since this Friday, December 13, the large fire vehicle garage has officially become Fire Station B (like Benauge).
“It will be both a third place and a food court, an open dining and cultural space,” explains Frédéric Schueller, Bordeaux bistronomy figure and pioneer of the food truck, who looks back on the genesis of the project. “As a member of the Street Food on the Move association, I was contacted by the Yurban agency, which is responsible for the transition of Euratlantique buildings. I was really attracted by the place and I proposed this concept, in association with three friends. » Karim Ebel, Stéphane Perez and Thierry Lefaye, also chefs and fifty-somethings from Bordeaux, have joined the adventure.
Vintage, firefighter and neighborhood
The concept can be summed up in three words: vintage, firefighter and neighborhood. “We want to respect the place, with its soul, and integrate it into the neighborhood. Offer affordable prices. » A glance at the space, which is hosting a designers’ Christmas market this weekend (1), confirms the point. Pinball machines and table football, long counter, reclaimed furniture with a 1970s aesthetic: “It’s both faithful and less expensive. » A courier and a 10 meter long ladder truck recall, if necessary, the history of the building which “remains in its original state” and can accommodate 200 people.
“We want to respect the place, with its soul, and integrate it into the neighborhood. Offer affordable prices »
“The entertainment is managed by the Friends of Benauge association, created for the occasion, but the operation will be in the form of an SAS,” says Frédéric Schueller, who specifies that the partners have invested “nearly of 150,000 euros for securing the site. It’s a bet. »
In front of Barracks B, a terrace, croque-monsieur, mulled wine and the ambition to bring together everyone in the neighborhood.
Thierry DAVID / SO
On the gastronomy side, the concept is: “Everything to share. » Charcuterie boards, focaccias and pinsas, nuggets or falafels, etc. to wash down with beer or local wines. On the programming side, Alizé Goasdoué, in charge of artistic and events planning, announces “DJ set evenings hosted by local collectives”, as well as a live stage. This Friday evening, it was the Gironde folk rock duo Franck and Damien who opened the ball. All year round, “the idea is to invite local associations to take over the place”.
The team signed an “occupancy agreement” which runs until September 2026 with Eiffage, which is responsible for the rehabilitation of the site. Bordeaux Euratlantique and the City have given their approval. We will add that this temporary Barracks B foreshadows the future identity of the place, designed by Atelier Ferret architectures, which also plans to make the former garage a space between bar, catering and culture, at the bottom of the main building converted into 95 room hotel.
Thierry DAVID / SO
Friday December 13, for the inauguration of Barracks B: Karim Ebel, Thierry Lefaye, Alizé Goasdoué and Frédéric Schueller. Absent in the photo, the fourth partner, Stéphane Pérez.
La Caserne B opened for its Christmas market, this weekend as well as from December 20 to 22, and will offer an evening on December 31. “From the end of January”, the hall will receive the public from Wednesday to Saturday, in the evening only.
(1) Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Instagram and Facebook: barracksbordeaux
