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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Notre-Dame de Besançon Tower, also known as the Spanish House or the Notre-Dame du Refuge Institute, is an iconic building located at 10 rue de la Vieille-Monnie, in the historic district of La Boucle in Besançon. Built in the 18th century, this house is distinguished by its wrought iron grilles "ventrues" on the ground floor windows, reflecting a Spanish architectural influence, although its construction was after Besançon's attachment to France. These decorative elements, now protected, bear witness to a stylistic heritage unique in the region.

The facades and roofs of the building were listed as historical monuments by a decree of 4 December 1941. This official recognition underscores the heritage value of the building, which today belongs to an association. Although wrought iron grids have been declassified, their initial presence has helped forge the visual identity of this monument, mixing local history and external influences.

Located in the Doubs department, in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, the Spanish house is situated in a rich urban context, where Besançon, strategic city since the Middle Ages, has accumulated various architectural traces. The 18th century, the period of construction of the building, corresponds to an era of transition for Franche-Comté, marked by its permanent integration into the Kingdom of France after centuries of geopolitical tensions. This monument illustrates the cultural and artistic exchanges that shaped the region.

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