Choisey’s local history can be explored through several different periods: from an archaeological find near Les Champins, to the Château de Parthey and Château de Menthon, and the architecture and furnishings of the Église Saint-Antoine. There is also a walking route covering Choisey’s history, with explanatory panels. When planning your stay, you can choose what interests you most: early history, medieval events, château architecture or church art. Each topic has a different focus, which you can tailor to your personal interests.
Early traces and the history of Parthey
The Hoguette de Choisey dates to 5400–5300 BC. Archaeologists found it in 2009 near the canal at Les Champins. This takes the timeline of the local history described here back long before the châteaux were built. The Château de Parthey belongs to a later period: the château is thought to have been built around 1285. The year 1479 is also important to its history. During the war over the annexation of the county under Louis XI, it was partially burned down. These dates point to different things: an estimated construction date and a specific historical event.
Its protected status is another important date: by decree of 7 November 2008, the Château de Parthey and its park were listed as historic monuments. The farm and outbuildings south of the main building are excluded. The year 2008 marks the listing, not the construction. The estimated construction date, the fire and the listing are therefore three distinct milestones in the château’s history.
Château architecture and church art
The Château de Menthon represents a different, later period of construction. The Richardot family began building it in 1701; it reached its present completed form in 1787. Compared with Parthey’s estimated construction date of around 1285 and the fire of 1479, the focus here is on a longer building process. If you are especially interested in architecture, the time between the start and completion of construction offers a different historical perspective from a single event such as the fire at Parthey.
At the Église Saint-Antoine, the flat, straight chancel wall may date from the 12th century; it has narrow Romanesque openings. The possible date of the wall and its Romanesque openings offer two different clues: a tentative indication of its period and an architectural feature. The furnishings include the large reredos, or altarpiece. It was restored in 2002 and has now regained its original colours and gilding. The church’s history thus encompasses both a possible medieval building feature and a restored furnishing with a clearly dated restoration.
Explore Choisey through its history
The walking route covering Choisey’s history is open to everyone, with explanatory panels along the way. This offers a way to explore local history in addition to the individual details of the châteaux and church. The panels provide the route’s explanatory framework, while the dates, events and features mentioned above delve into specific historical topics. When planning your visit, you can first decide whether you would rather discover Choisey through its local history, the development of its châteaux or its church architecture. The different topics offer distinct points of focus, and there is no set order to follow.
Discover more destinations: Menotey, La Favière, Lajoux, Le Fied, Le Vernois, Peintre, Bois-D'amont, Clairvaux-Les-Lacs.
For the broader travel overview: Jura.
