Maison des Orphelins

Founded in 1691, the Maison des Orphelins was designed to help the most vulnerable. Originally housed in three separate buildings - a convent, a college and a private mansion - the institution, which at the time was home to 18 young orphan boys, played a central role in the social history of the town of Dole. Today, after a lengthy restoration project, the site has once again become a "place to live" in the heart of the town, providing a home for disabled people under the aegis of l'arche. The vast 17th- and 18th-century buildings, listed as Historic Monuments, now stand at the centre of the conservation area, which has been awarded the "Remarkable Heritage Site" label.