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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The town hall of Morteau, built in 1590 by the Fauche family of Damprel, is an example of civil architecture of the late Renaissance. This stone building, with a single floor and two square towers with roofs in the pavilion, reflects the prestige of the local noble families at that time. Its location in the heart of the city, Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, highlights its central role in the administrative and social life since its construction.

In 1684, the lord of Grammont acquired the building and transformed it into a priorial house, partially changing its structure. The town of Morteau became its owner in 1791 to install its administrative services, marking its transition from seigneurial residence to public building. The 1946 fire destroyed a large part of the interior, leaving only the original facades and cellars intact. The following reconstruction preserves these historical elements, while the main façade and its towers are classified as historical monuments in 1978.

Architecturally, the building is distinguished by its white and yellowish stone walls, typical of local materials, and its rectangular plan framed by both towers. These features, combined with its turbulent history, make it a symbol of Morteau's heritage. Today, it still houses the municipal institutions, perpetuating its public vocation initiated after the French Revolution.

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