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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The castle of Etalans, called the Archbishops, is a fortress erected between 1260 and 1298 by William II of the Tower, Archbishop of Besançon. Located on the land of Etalans, it was built after the latter refused to yield the land at a sale in 1253. This castle, rectangular (120 m by 110 m), was surrounded by ditches and a parapet, but its ruins are now buried and grassed.

In 1639, during the Ten Years' War, the castle was set on fire by Swedish troops. Today only its feudal motte remains, classified as a historical monument in 1982 and 1983. The absence of historical documents limits knowledge of its original architecture, but the remains suggest an imposing defensive structure, typical of medieval fortresses.

The site, although partially erased, bears witness to the influence of the archbishops of Besançon in the region. Its motte, inscribed in the historical monuments, recalls the strategic importance of the castles in Franche-Comté, especially to control the territories and routes of communication in the Middle Ages.

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