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Origin and history

The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption of Orgelet, located in the Jura in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, finds its origins in a castral chapel used until the beginning of the 13th century. This primitive building, integrated with the walls of the fortified city, has disappeared, leaving only its foundations. Its location today corresponds to the northern chapels of the present church.

In the 15th century, a new church was built, forming the base of the current bell tower, as well as the chapels and lower north side. This bell tower, characteristic with its dome to imperial and lantern, reaches 55 meters high after the 17th century restorations. However, the building suffered a devastating fire in 1606, leaving only the 15th century elements and the bell tower intact. The reconstruction, entrusted to master mason Odot Maire, ended in 1627 with a nave of 46 meters and a transept of 32 meters.

During the Ten Years' War (1636-1644), the church was damaged during the capture of Orgelet in 1637, then by a fire ordered by Duke Henry II of Orléans-Longueville in 1639, causing the partial collapse of the bell tower. The restoration, completed in 1658, gave it its present appearance. In 1724, the 17th century organ, still in service, was installed by Marin Carouge, the king's organ maker. The interior was embellished in 1776 with ochre paintings and wall decorations.

During the French Revolution, the church was transformed into a temple of Reason and then into a forage store. It was listed as a historic monument in 1913 and was completely restored in 1994. Among its treasures, a multicolored medieval tile of 3,000 tiles, dating from the late 13th century and discovered in 1975 in the ruins of the nearby castle, is exposed.

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