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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Port of Rivotte store, built in 1783 in Besançon, is a neo-classical stone building, one-storey, covered with a hipped roof. It was initially intended for the storage of ropes and tools related to the flotation of timber on the Doubs, as well as for the housing of a clerk responsible for their maintenance and the collection of taxes. Its architecture reflects the urban standards of the time, with a facade decorated with bosses and symmetrical bays.

Originally, the Rivotte Wood Harbour used a stop and rope system to control the transport of floating timber on the river. In 1781, the city of Besançon decided to build a new building against the glacis of the Rivotte gate, according to the plans of assistant controller Claude-Joseph-Alexandre Bertrand. Built in 1783 by entrepreneur Nicolas Strabat, the building will undergo major modifications, notably in 1880 with the removal of its rear body when the Besançon-Morteau railway line was built.

In the 19th century, the store had several assignments: the depot of equipment, the Armoury in the 1830s, the stable, and the warehouse. In the 20th century, it became a kindergarten (1932-1933) with the addition of a social centre in 1956, before being transformed into a restaurant in 2004 under the name Le Manège. Its facades and roof have been included in the inventory of historic monuments since 15 April 2004, highlighting its heritage importance.

The timber flotation system, central to the local economy, was based on stops (strings and floating trunks) held by winches and maintained by a clerk. He stayed in the store and collected the timber taxes, an official role confirmed by the letters-patentes of 1735. The municipality, having bought the equipment from private traders in 1729, directly managed this strategic activity for heating and construction.

Architecturally, the preserved pavilion presents a rectangular plan with a neo-classical facade made of cut stone, typical of the urban buildings of the late eighteenth century. The side walls, made of coated limestone, contrast with the elegant sobriety of the main facade. The hipped roof, covered with flat tiles, and the floor-attic recall the stylistic influences of the era, mixing functionality and aesthetics.

Sold by the city in 2003, the building is now a restaurant, after a renovation led by architect Claude Koenig. This conversion has preserved its integrity while adapting to contemporary use. The inscription to historical monuments in 2004 protects its characteristic elements, testifying to its industrial and administrative past in the history of Besançon.

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