Timeline

Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The synagogue of Montbéliard, located in the Doubs in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, was built at the end of the 19th century to meet the needs of a growing Jewish community. After the 1870 War, Alsatian Israelites, fleeing the upheavals, found refuge in Montbéliard. This demographic context justified the building of a suitable place of worship, thus marking the anchoring of this community in the region.

The building, designed by the Montbéliard architect Charles-Frédéric Surleau, was inaugurated in 1888, as evidenced by the engraved dates (Gregorian and Israelite calendars). The initial project, planned on Rue Velotte in 1886, was finally carried out at its current location at 13 rue de la Synagogue. His neo-Roman style (or Romano-Byzantine), as well as his interior decorations—including two golden angels framed by the Holy Ark—mix Jewish influences with Christian artists.

Capable of welcoming 200 faithful, the synagogue was an active centre of community life until the 20th century. Since recent years, due to a lack of sufficient members, the community of Montbéliard has been attached to the community of Belfort. It is not used more than on an ad hoc basis, during the great Jewish holidays. The building, owned by an association, was listed as a historic monument on 1 September 1992, recognizing its heritage value.

The architecture and history of this synagogue illustrate both the integration of the Jewish populations in Franche-Comté and the cultural exchanges between religious traditions. Its current state of conservation and use reflect the challenges faced by small local communities in the face of a decline in their workforce.

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