Chateau de Gressoux
Gîte Rural - Auxon-les Vesoul
Founder Jean Etienne Louis Roussel left at his death in 1857
all of its assets, including Chateau de Gressoux to
eight municipalities with the wish that it would be used for creating a school and a foundation for charity for underprivileged youth to learn craft around farming skills.
The municipalities accepted this generous gift, yet they didn't expect the families d'Ambly (his mothers family) and Dornier to feel shortend by the will of Roussel.
Numerous lawsuits in 1861 determined that only one third of the assets of Roussel was granted to the municipalities. However, the institution was founded and the kids from eight municipalities got an education free of charge.
They also provided them with training, clothing, a room and food. This charity work continued until 1937. Then the inheritance was no longer sufficient to maintain the buildings and to ensure education. Therefore, a lease agreement was concluded with the Institution Bourdault and the domain was managed until 1986 by the Sisters of Charity.
Afterwards the municipalities decide to sell the estate. The estate has always attracted creative people. Among the previous owners was the director of the Opera in Besancon and now Dutch artist and composer Bert Barten has been te owner since 2008.
