Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
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Origin and history
The N°2 pillar of the lime forest is one of eight columns, known as "columns" or Guidon columns, erected in the 19th century at the main crossroads of the forest. These columns, aligned from west to east along the central road, served as geographical boundaries to structure this vast forest mass of 20,493 hectares, the second largest hardwood forest in France after that of Orléans. The lime forest, located east of Dole in the Jura and Doubs departments, is a remarkable natural area, classified in Natura 2000 and ZNIEFF for its biodiversity.
Seven of the eight column pillars remain today, with pillar 7 removed. These monuments, registered as historical monuments since 2013, bear witness to the historical organisation of the forest, exploited since the 13th century by loggers, blacksmiths and bark washers. The forest also housed industrial activities such as the glass factory of La Vieille-Loye (1295-1931) and the forges of Rans and Fraisans, as well as the royal saline of Arc-et-Senans (1775), built with firewood resources.
The lime forest is marked by a rich ecological and cultural history. It houses sacred oaks, some 500 years old, and local traditions such as the installation of statuettes of the Virgin in these trees. The NFB's current forest management is designed to preserve this unique ecosystem, while regulating both cynegetic and tourist activities. The N°2 pillar near Augerans recalls this history and serves as a landmark in this preserved forest landscape.
