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Origin and history

The hamlet of Jousseau, located in Cosges in the Jura, is a small quadrangular fortress built between the 13th and the beginning of the 14th century. The site consists of a platform surrounded by a ditch and an enclosure, characteristic of the defensive structures of this time. The first written mention of the castle dates back to 1388, confirming its existence at the end of the Middle Ages. Its architecture reflects local strategic needs, combining seigneurial habitat and protection against frequent conflicts of the period.

Ranked Historic Monument by order of 28 December 1994, the hamlet of Jousseau includes protected elements under the Cadastral reference ZB 17. Although its exact location (43 Rue de Jousseau) is documented, the cartographic accuracy remains satisfactory (note 7/10). The site is not explicitly described as open to the public, and no information is available on any visits, rentals or accommodation. The main sources come from the Monumentum database and the Merimée data, associated with Insee code 39167 (comune of Cosges).

In medieval times, small fortresses like Jousseau played a key role in controlling the rural territories of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. They served as shelters for local populations, administrative centres for lords, and monitoring points for communication lines. The region, marked by feudal conflicts and tensions between counties, saw these constructions multiply to assert local authorities. Their gradual decline from the 15th century coincided with the centralization of royal power and the evolution of military techniques, making these modest fortified ensembles obsolete.

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