Sale of surrounding land 1253 (≈ 1253)
Land of Stalans not ceded to Jean de Durnes.
1260–1298
Construction of the castle
Construction of the castle 1260–1298 (≈ 1279)
Initiated by William II of the Tower, Archbishop of Besançon.
1639
Fire by the Swedes
Fire by the Swedes 1639 (≈ 1639)
During the Ten Years War.
5 août 1982
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 5 août 1982 (≈ 1982)
Inscription of the feudal motte.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Château des Archbishops (ruines) (Box ZW 7, 35, 36): entry by order of 5 August 1982, as amended by order of 14 September 1983
Key figures
Guillaume II de la Tour - Archbishop of Besançon (1245–1268)
Commander of the castle between 1260 and 1298.
Jean de Durnes - Local Lord
Partial beneficiary of sale of 1253.
Origin and history
The castle of Etalans, nicknamed "the Archbishops", is a fortress erected between 1260 and 1298 at the initiative of William II of the Tower, then Archbishop of Besançon. Built on unceded land during a sale in 1253, it symbolized episcopal power in the region. Its ruins, now reduced to a feudal motte and ditches, reveal a rectangular enclosure 120 m by 110 m, surrounded by parapets.
In 1639, during the Ten Years' War, the castle was set on fire by Swedish troops, marking its decline. The feudal motte was classified as a Historic Monument in 1982, with an amendment to the decree in 1983. Subsequent excavations and studies were only partially able to reconstruct its original aspect due to the lack of detailed archival documents.
The site, located in the Doubs department (region Burgundy-Franche-Comté), is today a discreet testimony of medieval military architecture. Its history reflects the local conflicts and the strategic role of the archbishops of Besançon, who used these fortresses to control their territory and assert their authority vis-à-vis the lay lords.
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