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Depending Chaumousey Abbey, the Priory of Marast was founded in 1117 as a result of donations made by Richard de Montfaucon, Count of Montbéliard, de Rougemont and Thiébaud territory on their areas of Esprels. This foundation will be confirmed in 1122 by the Archbishop of Besancon, Anseric, then in 1123 by Pope Calixtus II. The archbishops and bishops of Besançon take the priory under their protection, by making substantial donations over the centuries.

The church, erected in the years 1120-1130, was under the patronage of the Virgin Mary, but as a result of an evolution resulting from a particular local devotion to St. Mary Magdalene, the name becomes the thirteenth century church of St. Mary Magdalene Marast.

The rule of St. Augustine which depended the canons, was followed loosely enough, since the common life disappears from the fourteenth century, the monks have their own apartments. Their number, which never exceeded eight, then stabilizes at four as a result of a lack of recruitment of the careless greed of priors to share revenues.

The priory has retained a certain importance because of the similarity of parish churches served by vicars (Esprels, Mélecey, Cubry, Villafans, Montjustin, ...), but mostly because of burials that have taken place. Lords of Villersexel, guardians and benefactors of the priory inherited it did include a chapel, other lords have also chosen this place for burial (Oricourt, Fallon, Autricourt, ...).

On January 5, 1611, the priory is attached to the chapter of the collegiate church of Our Lady of Dole (Jura), by decision of Albert, son of Maximilian II and Maria of Austria, daughter of Charles V, Infanta of Spain, Archduke of Austria and the Dukes of Burgundy.