Chronology
1769
A document reveals to us the name of a hermit: Jacques FRAICHE, native of Vicques (Delémont - Switzerland).
He remained for years in Reppe, then Father HURT of Traubach, on whose behalf Bréchaumont and Belle Fontaine depended, charged him with the service of sacristan in the chapel and allowed him to settle in the hermitage near the small sanctuary.
We also know of two other hermits, Nicolas JOSEPH and Jacques RIOT.
The hermitage disappeared during the First World War.
1775
A document informs us that the Pope had granted a plenary indulgence to the pilgrims of the Chapel of the Hermitage of the Beautiful Fountain.
This favor proves that the sanctuary was very well known.
1789
During the revolution, ecclesiastical property was declared national property.
The state could seize them and proceed with the sale of the Chapels.
1792
The municipality of Bréchaumont sent a letter to the Directory of the district of Belfort, in which it stressed that the chapel had been built by the ancestors of the current inhabitants of the village and that it was therefore the property of the parish.
The directory responded negatively: the chapel was considered national property and had to be sold.
With that, four men from Bréchaumont bought the chapel.
That is how it escaped destruction.
As for the small bell, it had been transported to Aspach le Bas and to the Strasbourg Mint.
Despite the grievances of the region's patriots, the chapel was visited by pilgrims throughout the revolution.
In the aftermath of the Revolution, the chapel passed into the hands of the commune of Bréchaumont.
1846
The chapel was sold to Abbot CLAVEY, a native of Reppe, parish priest in Levoncourt.
1857
Abbot Clavey had the chapel restored.
The CLAVEY family, who inherited the sanctuary, did everything to ensure that it once again became a place of pilgrimage for the entire region.
1914 - 1918
During the First World War, the chapel was severely damaged by devastation.
The miraculous Virgin found refuge in a chapel in Foussemagne.
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1925
Father KOHLER was able, thanks to the benevolent collaboration of the CLAVEY-DENIER families and several parishioners of Bréchaumont, to undertake the renovation of the chapel and proceed with the solemn consecration of the sanctuary in 1933.
Since that time, the Notre-Dame de Belle-Fontaine chapel has once again become a place of pilgrimage frequented by the faithful of the region.
1990
At the initiative of Mr. Jean-Paul HERVEAU, with the kind support of the mayor of the town, Mr. BEFORT, the association of the Notre Dame de Bellefontaine chapel was created, with the mission of "the renovation of the chapel and all exterior work which contributes to its maintenance".