What if I told you this building was built atop ancient fortifications? I will tell you more about L’Escarpe. It is more than just a modern building.
L’Escarpe stands proudly in Strasbourg. It embodies contemporary architecture. This building serves both education and office purposes. L’Escarpe is a hub of activity.
Completed in 1996 L’Escarpe rises to about 18 meters. It has five levels. The architects behind this design are Pierre Knecht and Patrick Schweitzer.
Inside L’Escarpe you will find the CEIPI. This is the Centre for International Intellectual Property Studies. The CUEJ also calls this place home. This is the University Centre for the Teaching of Journalism. A research library focused on law is also housed here.
Now for the really interesting part. L’Escarpe was constructed over old fortifications. These fortifications date back to the early 15th century. They are from Strasbourg’s fourth expansion. Vestiges of these old walls exist in the building’s basement. Sadly these are not open to the public. However a photo of them is in the reception hall.
L’Escarpe gets its name from military vocabulary. In military terms an escarp is a slope above a ditch. It is on the fortification side.
The University services moved here in July 1994. This was before the building was fully completed in 1996.
The Law Library within L’Escarpe offers many resources. It has 25000 books with open access. There are also 136 active subscriptions to legal journals.
The Law Library is closed on weekends. On weekdays it is open from 9 AM to 7 PM. There are exceptions. It is closed on public holidays and during university holidays in December and summer.
The Law Library provides many services. These include bibliographic information and training. You can access the internet via WiFi. There are also electronic resources available. Photocopies and printing are available too.
L’Escarpe is accessible to people with reduced mobility. The entrance on Rue Pierre Montet has a doorbell. An elevator provides access to the library floors.
L’Escarpe not only fosters learning but also accommodates events. The building has several amphitheatres. They range from 64 to 520 seats. The adjacent hall is perfect for social gatherings. It can host welcome coffees or cocktail parties.
So L’Escarpe is a mix of old and new. It is a place of learning, research and history. It’s a unique building in Strasbourg. Next time you are here take a moment. Think about the layers of history beneath your feet.