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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The chapel of the Cemetery of Cour-Saint-Maurice originates in a parish church erected in the 11th century, and then profoundly redesigned in the 18th century. At that time, the medieval building was partly rebuilt, with a plaster vault on wood lattis and a sacristy added to the extension of the bedside. The choir, decorated with a polychrome decoration, is the only vestige of this transformation after the construction of a new church in 1835.

In 1835, a new parish church was built according to the plans of architect Maximim Painchaux, resulting in the disappearance of the bell tower and the nave of the old church. What remains of the original building – the choir and sacristy – is then converted into a cemetery chapel. The ensemble has been protected as historical monuments since 6 February 2008, highlighting its heritage importance.

Historically, the early church of Cour-Saint-Maurice could have been founded by Saint-Antoine d'Agaune, before being given in 1040 to the abbey of Baume-les-Dames. This ancient religious connection illustrates its central role in local spiritual life. Today, the chapel depends on the parish of Sancey-Belleherbe, itself integrated into the diocese of Besançon.

Architecturally, the chapel is distinguished by its simplicity: without a nave, it is limited to a choir vaulted with plaster and a sacristy. This approach reflects the successive adaptations of the building, marked by liturgical needs and urban developments. The light vault, typical of the eighteenth century, contrasts with the original medieval structures, testifying to the constructive techniques of each era.

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