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Origin and history

The château de l'Ermitage is a building located in the town of Mancenans-Lizerne, in the Doubs department, in Burgundy-Franche-Comté. Built in 1626 by Jean-Renaud Lallemand du Russey, it stands out for its strategic location on the edge of a plateau overlooking the valleys of Waroly and Dessoubre. Its architecture, in the shape of a Latin cross and with a round tower, reflects the style of the era, while a radiant Gothic chapel, erected in 1633, completes the estate.

In 1792 the castle was confiscated and sold as a national property in the revolutionary context. From 1878 it will house a community of Carmelite monks, who produced a famous liqueur, the "Liqueur de l'Ermitage". After their departure in 1892, the painter Joseph Aubert became the owner and produced works there that still adorn the churches of Franche-Comté. The castle, now privately owned, is not visited, but its natural environment, including the Varoly caves and the Waroly waterfall, attracts visitors.

The estate of the castle of the Hermitage is marked by a succession of varied uses, ranging from the seigneurial residence to a place of monastic production, then to an artistic workshop. The chapel, of radiant Gothic style, and the round tower are notable architectural elements. Although closed to the public, the site remains a testimony to the religious, political and cultural history of the region, while providing a remarkable natural setting with its geological formations and picturesque landscapes.

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