Ancien couvent des Carmes

In 1645, the Discalced Carmelites settled at the foot of the city, occupying the maladrerie in the faubourg of Saint-Gilles. The municipality didn't authorize the Carmelites to set up within the city walls until 1688, as land available for construction was scarce due to the presence of eight religious orders. In 1754, Langrois architect Claude Forgeot built a new convent and chapel with a facade whose sobriety almost borders on severity. With no pediment, its two levels are softened by fins. In 1825, the minor seminary, designed to train the diocese's future priests, moved into these buildings, which were enlarged in 1840. In 1849, the chapel was decorated with murals by the Haute-Marne painter Menissier.

A little history :
The Carmelite monks were not well liked in Langres; the 43 years it took them to obtain an official intramural installation testifies to the hostility of the Chambre de Ville towards them.
In 1655, they justified their position by insisting that "half the city was occupied by ecclesiastics, by the cloisters of the chappitre, the parishes, hospitals, commenderies, priories and eight convents for men and girls.... which would have greatly reduced the number of inhabitants of the town, for want of houses, which have become very rare and unaffordable in the town... as a result of which trade (is) diminished and by this means the strength of the town weakened...".
The future will prove that a less significant religious presence would not have allowed the town to develop...