La Tour d'Otton

The County of Burgundy, also known as Franche-Comté de Bourgogne, was founded in 986 by Count Otte-Guillaume of Burgundy. During the 13th century, following a conflict between him and two other lords, Othon II ordered the construction of a fortified castle at Montrond, which was used in particular to protect one of the region's major towns: Poligny.

In 1479, Charles the Bold, the last Valois Duke of Burgundy, was killed at the Battle of Nancy. The fortress was then dismantled by the troops of King Louis XI, while the castellany fell into the hands of the Prince of Orange, an ally of the sovereign. During the 18th and 19th centuries, local residents were allowed to take stones from the building. The site gradually fell into oblivion, now watched over only by Otto's tower... part of which collapsed in 1981.

Listed as a Historic Monument since May 1986, the site is now the focus of the efforts of the association La Tour d'Otton, which organises restoration campaigns and helps as many people as possible to discover this exceptional medieval heritage.