Step 6
The praetorium
and the grain hall
As an extension of Gilbert Cousin’s house, a beautiful entrance door with a carved lintel gave access to the room of justice. On the lintel, we can see two angels with broken wings worshiping on either side of a mound on which we can guess the specter of a monstrance with flaming rays. Above are the emblems of justice. In the courtroom, a judge ruled in high, medium and low justice cases. In general, the place of torture of the condemned was called « the pitchforks ».
To the right, we can see two basket-handle doors, here was the entrance to the grain and leather hall, owned by the lords of Nozeroy. Seven tanneries supplied famous leathers in the province.
Against the facade of this building, we can see an old fountain with the coat of arms of the town and the year 1754. The water came out of the lion’s mouth and filled a semi-circular basin, which served as a washhouse. It is said that for the patronal feast of the castle « the holy crown of thorns », wine was poured through one of the openings.