Mouthier-Haute-Pierre. The Priory, a private museum dedicated to the painters of Franche-Comté, opens its doors in Mouthier-Haute-Pierre

Eight years of planning. The first lucky few to discover the place this Friday, June 20th, will tell you straight away: it was worth the wait, as the result exceeds expectations. "Several of us came to see the layout of the Priory and the way François Guillin imagined and organized this showcase for the painters. It's simply extraordinary," enthuses Olivier Bédat, one of Robert Fernier's grandsons.

A key place in the history of the village since the 7th century, a central element in the development of one of the most beautiful villages in the Doubs nestled in the Loue valley, the priory of Mouthier-Haute-Pierre has become the Priory . A place for the faithful, a "source of essentials" as it defines itself, for painting enthusiasts, and more particularly for those passionate about the Comtoise school of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Owner of the place since 2017, François Guillin, a local boy, is behind this spectacular transformation. Incidentally, the founder of the eponymous group (based in Ornans) confirms, if it were still necessary, the visceral passion he has for this village, which reciprocates his passion.

"I wanted to create a permanent space to highlight the work of these painters who have greatly inspired me," confides its project manager regarding a building that has been completely renovated (2,500 m²) over the past eight years and which is part of a larger setting of almost one hectare. On two levels, the Priory pays tribute to the great names of Franche-Comté : Isembart, Pointelin, Fanart, Bouroult, Fernier, Zingg, Roz, Charigny, Bichet, etc. Pascal Lombard is to date the only contemporary Franche-Comté master to be featured there. In a place that, according to general opinion, has regained its beauty and magic.

"It's all the more remarkable because it brings this somewhat forgotten site back to the public and showcases painters and this school from Franche-Comté who until now had no permanent home to showcase them," emphasizes Vincent Bichet, Pierre's son. The real thing. Because, a detail that can't be made up, the Priory received a visit this Friday morning from a certain Pierre Bichet... who died in 2008. A namesake, as this visitor, a fan of Franche-Comté painters, pointed out, who is not related to the one exhibited here. And if by chance, the museum isn't enough to satiate the visitor's curiosity, the place and its statues, its cloister and its gardens will finish off any potential skeptics. When we tell you that magic has returned to the Priory...