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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Blaise de Montaigu, located in the Jura department, finds its origins in the early thirteenth century. Its construction began after 1208 and was well advanced in 1238, as the archives show. The portal has a painted date, 1225, although it is considered a recent addition. This first building, of late Romanesque or early Gothic style, reflected the architectural techniques of the medieval period in Franche-Comté, an area marked by intense religious and monastic activity.

In the 3rd quarter of the 17th century, the church underwent major changes, including the addition of the bell tower in 1685, bearing an inscription still visible today. This period corresponds to an architectural renewal in the region, influenced by the classic post-Renaissance currents. The 17th and 18th centuries also saw the addition of two side chapels and the enlargement of the windows, thus changing the interior brightness. These adjustments reflect the evolution of the liturgical and aesthetic needs of the local community.

Subsequent work, carried out in the 19th century, completes the building we know today. In 1861, architect Vittot proposed a quote for the construction of the arrow, erected the following year in 1862. Later, in 1880, another architect, Louis Rousseau, supervised the elevation of the side walls of the nave to align them with those of the choir. These interventions illustrate the desire to preserve and modernize the religious heritage, in a context of active restoration of historical monuments in France.

Classified as a Historical Monument by decree of 19 November 1946, the church of Saint-Blaise is now owned by the commune of Montaigu. Its inscription bears witness to its heritage value, both for its architecture and for its role in local history. Available sources, such as the Mérimée and Monumentum base, confirm its importance in the cultural landscape of Burgundy-Franche-Comté, a region rich in remarkable religious buildings.

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