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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The major seminary of Besançon, located on Rue Mégevand in the historic heart of the city, was built between 1670 and 1695 under the impulse of Archbishop Antoine-Pierre de Grammont, according to the plans of Abbé Durnel. Designed for the formation of priests, this religious establishment embodies the classical architecture of the 3rd quarter of the 17th century, with a chapel erected between 1670 and 1688 on a Latin cross plane. Its facade, adorned with Corinthian pilasters, and its late Gothic vault make it a remarkable example of the Comtian heritage.

The chapel, the jewel of the seminary, was classified as a historical monument in 1926, after its confiscation in 1905 under the law of separation of churches and the state. The site, used by the army until 1929, is also famous for having inspired Stendhal: it serves as a framework for the novel Le Rouge et le Noir, where the hero Julien Sorel resides. The architect Jean-Pierre Galezot intervened in the 18th century to add a portal and a house body, completing the original building.

Today, the major seminary and its chapel, located at 20 rue Mégevand, testify both to the religious history of Besançon and its literary heritage. Their preservation reflects the cultural importance of this place, marked by varied architectural styles (classical, late Gothic) and a turbulent history, between spiritual vocation and civil reassignments.

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