Château de la Juive

En un regard

Le château en bref

The Château de la Juive, also known as the Châtel or Château de Clementigney (or Clemtigney), is one of the most remarkable private residences of Besançon (Doubs). It stands in the neighbouring commune of Chalezeule, a short distance from the historic district of Bregille, on the Mont de Brégille. The original building was constructed at an unknown date, but the earliest records of it go back to the end of the 18th century, before the powerful Lippmann family became its owners. It was one of their descendants, Léonie Allegri, who asked the Franche-Comté architect Alphonse Delacroix to transform it into a true château. Between 1850 and 1870 he created the building as it is known today, with its Gothic style and its characteristic bartizan. The owner's energy and her religious faith gave the residence the nickname it still bears, the "Château de la Juive" ("Castle of the Jewish Woman"). After the 1914 war, the building changed hands and became a hotel-restaurant renowned for its fine cuisine and remarkable decor, earning a national reputation and attracting several celebrities. However, this role came to an end in the early 2000s when the last chef died, and the château has since returned to a purely residential use.