Construction of the convent 4e quart du XVIIe siècle (≈ 1787)
Period of initial construction of the convent.
20 mai 1980
First entry MH
First entry MH 20 mai 1980 (≈ 1980)
Chapel and protected cloister galleries.
21 juillet 2023
Second entry MH
Second entry MH 21 juillet 2023 (≈ 2023)
Former 18th century cloister registered.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Chapel, including portal; two remaining cloister galleries (cad. AB 67, 69, 76, 474) : entry by order of 20 May 1980; the former cloister of the Ursulines convent built in the 18th century (the courtyard, the three galleries and the facades surrounding it) located 14 rue de l'Hôtel de Ville, on plots No. 59, No. 757 and Parcel No. 756, shown in the cadastre section AB: inscription by order of 21 July 2023
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character mentioned
Sources do not cite any historical actors.
Origin and history
The Convent of the Ursulines of Thoissey is a former convent located in the commune of Thoissey, in the department of Ain, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Built during the 4th quarter of the 17th century, it represents an example of religious architecture of this period, marked by the influence of the monastic orders of women dedicated to education and contemplative life. The site is now partially protected as historical monuments, with elements listed by decree in 1980 and 2023.
The convent consists of a chapel and cloister galleries, some of which date from the 18th century. These spaces reflect the typical organization of the convents of the time, with places of prayer, community life and teaching. The chapel, with its portal, as well as the remaining galleries, are architectural testimonies of local religious history.
The building has had several by-laws, including the state, private owners and the municipality of Thoissey. Its inscription as a historic monument underscores its heritage importance, while allowing its preservation for future generations. The successive protections (1980 and 2023) cover distinct parts of the convent, illustrating its architectural evolution and its adaptation over the centuries.
The precise location of the convent, at the intersection of Rue du Port and Rue de l'Hôtel de Ville, makes it a central element of the built heritage of Thoissey. Its history is linked to that of the city and the region, where religious institutions played a key role in the social, educational and spiritual life of local communities.
The Ursulines, a women's religious order founded in the 16th century, were particularly active in the education of girls. Their presence in Thoissey is part of this wider movement to spread knowledge and the Catholic faith in France, particularly in rural areas and small towns. The convent, through its architecture and function, embodies this dual educational and spiritual mission.
Today, although its current use is not specified in the sources, the Ursulines convent remains a symbol of the historical and religious heritage of Thoissey. Its inscription in historical monuments ensures its conservation and enhances it as a witness to local and regional history.
