In 1626, the Count of Tonnerre authorized a group of nuns to form a community: the Ursulines. They acquired a vast tract of land in the heart of the town. At the beginning of 1790, the community was dissolved, and the building was used in turn as a meeting place for the Democratic Club, a headquarters for the District administration, a saltpetre factory, a granary and a college. During the 19th century, it was used exclusively for the latter function, until its relocation to the left bank of the Armançon.