Ancien couvent des Ursulines

The Order of Saint Ursula was a religious order of women founded in the 16th century and dedicated to the free education of young girls. The Ursulines settled in Poligny in the 17th century at the instigation of a group of women from good families. The original convent was built around 1648, but part of it was destroyed by fire in 1673. It was rebuilt in 1678.

After the French Revolution, in 1792, the nuns were expelled from the convent and the buildings were bought by the town of Poligny, then sold in lots to private individuals. Subsequently, shops and housing were built on the premises. Today, the buildings are occupied by flats.

The rectangular courtyard has 19 semi-circular arches, all resting on Tuscan columns. Above one of the entrances to the courtyard, a shell niche houses a Burgundian-style Virgin and Child.

The former Ursuline convent was listed as a Historic Monument on 29 April 1994.

The courtyard is accessible all year round from rue Voltaire or rue Victor Hugo.