Visit les Prisons Royales
Thematic Museum
Gratuit avec le The Burgundy-Franche-Comté Pass
Great history and little secrets of an 18th century prison!
This historic complex dating from the 18th century is unique in Burgundy Franche-Comté for its state of preservation.
Under Louis XIV, Franche-Comté was a province prone to smuggling. The Justice des Gabelles was created to fight against the illegal trade in salt, tobacco and fabrics.
Built between 1930 and 1941 to house the gabelles court, the building includes an auditorium, prisons, the gaoler's accommodation and a chapel.
After the Revolution, the establishment was used as a prison for prisoners going from Lons-le-Saunier to Bourg-en-Bresse on foot. The prison was disused in 1869.
You will discover the journey of a prisoner for smuggling, the conditions of detention under the old regime and the functioning of the prison.
Let yourself be taken from the guardhouse to the still well-preserved dungeons!
Stroll through the corridors of the prisons, to grasp, at the corner of a door or at the turn of a staircase, their history.
New: passes to discover the apothecary, the Caborde and the Château de Chevreaux. Please contact the Tourist Office for more information.
This historic complex dating from the 18th century is unique in Burgundy Franche-Comté for its state of preservation.
Under Louis XIV, Franche-Comté was a province prone to smuggling. The Justice des Gabelles was created to fight against the illegal trade in salt, tobacco and fabrics.
Built between 1930 and 1941 to house the gabelles court, the building includes an auditorium, prisons, the gaoler's accommodation and a chapel.
After the Revolution, the establishment was used as a prison for prisoners going from Lons-le-Saunier to Bourg-en-Bresse on foot. The prison was disused in 1869.
You will discover the journey of a prisoner for smuggling, the conditions of detention under the old regime and the functioning of the prison.
Let yourself be taken from the guardhouse to the still well-preserved dungeons!
Stroll through the corridors of the prisons, to grasp, at the corner of a door or at the turn of a staircase, their history.
New: passes to discover the apothecary, the Caborde and the Château de Chevreaux. Please contact the Tourist Office for more information.
Contact
https://tourisme-portedujura.fr
03 84 48 76 69
les Prisons Royales
The history and little secrets of an 18th-century prison!
This historic complex dating from the 18th century is unique in Burgundy Franche-Comté for its state of conservation.
Under Louis XIV, Franche-Comté was a province ripe for smuggling. Gabelles courts were set up to combat illegal trade (in salt, tobacco, cloth, etc.) and hunt down smugglers.
Built between 1730 and 1741 to accommodate this jurisdiction, the building includes an auditorium, the gaoler's lodgings, a chapel, prisons and dungeons.
After the French Revolution, the building became a prison, then a security depository, before being sold to private individuals in 1869. It was then bought by the town in 1995, listed as a historic monument in 1997 and restored.
Let yourself be carried away from the courtroom to the dungeons, which are still well preserved!
Guided tours are available throughout the year (during school holidays and in May, June and September), by prior arrangement.
Group tours are available by prior arrangement.
For school groups, tours and workshops are available by prior arrangement.
Events (readings, workshops, etc.) are organised from time to time.
This historic complex dating from the 18th century is unique in Burgundy Franche-Comté for its state of conservation.
Under Louis XIV, Franche-Comté was a province ripe for smuggling. Gabelles courts were set up to combat illegal trade (in salt, tobacco, cloth, etc.) and hunt down smugglers.
Built between 1730 and 1741 to accommodate this jurisdiction, the building includes an auditorium, the gaoler's lodgings, a chapel, prisons and dungeons.
After the French Revolution, the building became a prison, then a security depository, before being sold to private individuals in 1869. It was then bought by the town in 1995, listed as a historic monument in 1997 and restored.
Let yourself be carried away from the courtroom to the dungeons, which are still well preserved!
Guided tours are available throughout the year (during school holidays and in May, June and September), by prior arrangement.
Group tours are available by prior arrangement.
For school groups, tours and workshops are available by prior arrangement.
Events (readings, workshops, etc.) are organised from time to time.
Hours :
Guided tours : - in July and August, - during school holidays: All Saints' Day, Christmas, Winter, Easter- occasionally in May, June and September. For the 2024 /2025 Christmas holidays: Guided tours on Friday afternoons 27/12 and 03/01 : 2.30pm The Royal Prisons4pm The Apothecary'sRegistration required - tickets available from the Tourist Office Guided tours must be booked in advance. For groups of 10 or more, the Tourist Office offers guided tours by prior arrangement all year round.