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Origin and history

The tower of the aldermen, built in the second half of the 15th century by Henri Jouffroy, son of Perrin Jouffroy and brother of Cardinal Jean Jouffroy, was originally called the Tour de Jouffroy or Square House. Its present name comes from its use by the bishops, elected municipal of the time. The building, in Vosges sandstone, is distinguished by its flamboyant Gothic style: a splint windows decorated with phylactères engraved with the Ave Maria, an oriel decorated with faces and animals, and a crenellated belfry with views of the Vosges, Jura and the Swiss Alps.

Acquired in 1552 by the notables of Luxeuil to serve as a city hall, the tower also became a place of conservation of the ancient locals since 1673, marking the creation of one of the oldest museums in France. It was listed as a historic monument in 1862 and previously housed a civilian prison, archives and a library. Since 1865, it has hosted the municipal museum, rich in archaeology ( Gallo-Roman steles, former Gaulish voto) and paintings, including those of Jules Adler and his contemporaries.

The architecture incorporates a 146-step staircase leading to the top (33 m), while the collections, transferred in 1965 after a passage into the thermal establishment, include local ceramics, Etruscan statuettes (Vth-IVth century BC) and works by artists related to the area, such as Paul-Élie Dubois or Édouard Vuillard. The facade, with its gargoyles and floral motifs, illustrates late Gothic craftsmanship.

The tower symbolizes both medieval municipal power and the desire to preserve local heritage. Its museum, structured on four floors, reflects the history of Luxovium (the ancient name of Luxeuil) and its cultural influence, from antiquity to modern times.

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