Construction of column terminals XIXe siècle (≈ 1865)
Erection of the eight columns in the forest.
2013
Registration for historical monuments
Registration for historical monuments 2013 (≈ 2013)
Protection of the remaining seven terminals.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Information non disponible - No key character mentioned
The source text does not mention any actors.
Origin and history
The N°4 pillar is one of the eight columns erected in the 19th century in the forest of Chaux, a vast massif of hardwoods located east of Dole, in the departments of Jura and Doubs. These terminals, aligned from west to east along the central road, served as geographical landmarks at the main crossroads of the forest. Today, there are only seven remaining, with pillar 7 being removed. They were listed as historical monuments in 2013.
The lime forest, France's second largest hardwood forest with 20,493 hectares, is a natural area marked by a rich industrial and ecological history. It was once home to coalwood, blacksmiths and bark washers, and played a key role in supplying firewood for facilities such as the Royal Arc-et-Senans Salin, built in 1775. The forest is also known for its streams, springs and wetlands, with remarkable flora and fauna.
The column markers, also called Guidon columns, symbolize the organisation and historical management of this forest massif. Their presence illustrates the strategic importance of the lime forest, both for its natural resources and for its role in spatial planning. Today, these pillars are historic witnesses of this history, integrated into a protected natural environment and classified as Natura 2000 zone.
