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History
In the XI th century Gray was protected by a moat and the Bourgogne counts were settled in the higH plateau. Gray then developed around the castle. The foundation of Saint-Esprit Hospital proved that the lower parts of the town near the river Saône were already fortified in 1238. Gray’s importance and significance continued to develop and a university was built by D’Othon IV, Mahaut d’Artois’s husband.
After the fire of 1324 the town was rebuilt by its inhabitants and by the desire of Jeanne de Bourgogne. Jeanne de Bourgogne also continued her father’s works by founding the corporation of merchants.
Louis XI destroyed Gray and its fortress in 1479. The XVI century was the Golden Era of Gray because of its dynamic river buisness and influence of a political elite who came from Flandres to the Franche-Comté. The Renaissance spread its influence all over the town, the Church was rebuilt, the works of the Hotel de Ville (Town hall) were finished, the Famous Sculture School of Dole was founded by Claude Arnoux and named Lulier and Denis le Rupt. The provost Gauthiot d’Ancier was installed by Charles Quint.
The XVII century was austere, religious and difficult, largely due to the Ten years War and the annexation of Franche-Comté to the French Kingdom. The spiritual value of Gray increased, several monasteries were established, the miraculous statue of the “Vierge à l’enfant” (Holy virgin) arrived in 1636 and this attracted many pilgrins. Pierre de Mattaincourt, founder of the congregation of Notre Dame, was exiled because of his devotion to the Ducks of Lorraine, and returned to Gray in 1636 where he died (1640) and was made a saint in 1730.
In the XVIII century Gray recovered its lost prosperity with the construction of the hospital, the barrack and it reopened its fluvial trade. The economic progress was obtained thanks to the development of the quays, the organisation of he railway centre and the develepoment of the lower quarters of the town with the construction of the store rooms, warehouses for corn and windmills. The cultural development of Gray continued with the construction of the Library and Theatre.
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