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Origin and history

The convent of the Ursulines of Poligny was founded in the early seventeenth century in the town of Poligny, in the Jura department (region Burgundy-Franche-Comté). Its primary purpose was to provide education for local girls. The ensemble was completely destroyed during a fire that ravaged the city in 1673, marking a turning point in its architectural history.

The reconstruction took place quickly in the last quarter of the seventeenth century, giving rise to the current buildings. The convent functioned until the French Revolution, when it was abolished, like many religious establishments in France. The facades, roofs, vaulted galleries and stone stairs, characteristic of the classical style of the period, were preserved and protected by a classification as historical monuments in 1994.

The architecture of the convent is distinguished by its four building bodies organized around a cloistered courtyard. The elevations have narrow bays resting on a cord, arches in the middle of the hanger and a niche decorated with a statue of the Virgin and Child, central element of the decor. Inside, the French ceilings and two stone chimneys, protected as early as 1989, testify to the care taken in ornamentation.

Despite restorations carried out between 1994 and 1995, the convent suffered a new fire in June 2017, seriously damaging a wing of the building. Today, part of the site belongs to the municipality of Poligny, while other sections remain private property. The site retains a major heritage value, illustrating both the religious, educational and architectural history of Franche-Comté.

The convent is representative of Ursulin schools, which have been dedicated to female education since the seventeenth century. Its legal protection covers both exterior elements (facades, roofs) and interior details (pathways, stairs), stressing its importance in local and regional heritage.

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