Painting by Nicolas Bellot 1626 (≈ 1626)
Cadastral representation of Epinal commanded by the city.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Nicolas Bellot - Painter
Author of the 1626 table representing Epinal.
Chanoinesses d'Épinal - Religious nobles
Major actors in Spinalian religious life.
Ducs de Lorraine - Suzerains of Epinal
Recipients of the 1626 table for validation.
Origin and history
The Historical and Archaeological Museum of the Epinal Chapter is housed in a medieval tower in the heart of the city. It offers, on three floors, a journey tracing local history, from the origins to the modern era. The ground floor houses a model depicting a 1626 painting, commissioned by the city to document its condition and the necessary works at the Moselle River crossing Epinal. This painting, made by Nicolas Bellot, was also used to attest to the needs of the Dukes of Lorraine, then Suzerans of the city.
The first floor exhibits archaeological objects discovered during excavations at Epinal for about thirty years. These vestiges, dating from the Middle Ages and the modern era, include cannon balls, architectural elements and everyday objects. They illustrate the lives of Spinalians throughout the centuries, offering a concrete testimony to their material and social history.
The second floor is dedicated to the canonesses of Epinal, these noble ladies who played a major role in the religious life of the city. Their presence is still visible today through the houses of the Rue du Chapter, located near the museum. These women, often from the aristocracy, have marked the spiritual and cultural identity of Epinal, leaving a lasting imprint in the local heritage.
