Chapel of Our Lady of the Motte of Vesoul, Religious chapel at La Motte hill, Vesoul, France.

The Notre-Dame-de-la-Motte chapel sits atop the La Motte hill with a large statue of the Virgin Mary overlooking the town of Vesoul. This small sanctuary can be reached by climbing stairs from below and offers broad views across the surrounding area.

The chapel was built in 1857 following a cholera outbreak, replacing a simple wooden cross that had marked the hilltop before. The construction reflected the community's desire to seek protection through faith during that crisis.

The chapel is also called Notre-Dame-du-Chastel, recalling the medieval castle chapel dedicated to the Virgin and Saint Michael that stood near the donjon. The wooden cross now in front of the lower wall continues the hilltop crosses destroyed during the Revolution. The building was restored in 2013.

The climb to the chapel involves climbing stairs and requires moderate effort, so comfortable shoes are advisable. The grounds can become slippery in wet weather, so it is worth checking conditions before planning a visit.

The hilltop held a fortress called Castrum Vesulium, first mentioned in writing in 899, and a castle chapel dedicated to Notre-Dame and Saint-Michel stood near its keep. Jules Finot records that the foundations of the keep were found on the very summit, where the abbot Boilloz later raised the votive chapel.