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Origin and history

The abbey of Baume-les-Dames, also known as Sainte-Odile Abbey, is a Benedictine abbey founded in the fourth century, according to tradition, by Saint Germain, Archbishop of Besançon, or by Garnier, mayor of the palace of Burgundy. His name is associated with Saint Odile (v. 660-720), who was said to have regained sight there at the time of his baptism, attracting many pilgrims. The abbey, destroyed by the Huns in 451, was rebuilt thanks to a treasure miraculously discovered by King Gontran and Garnier.

The abbey knew its apogee under Charlemagne and Louis the Debonnaire, who made mention of it in their capitulars. It housed the tomb of Count Garnier, opened in 1768, and possessed prestigious relics such as those of Saint Maur. In the seventh century, the miracle of Saint Odile, the blind daughter of the Duke of Alsace healed after his baptism, strengthened his fame. The abbey was ruled by noble abbesses, at the head of a chapter of fifteen canonies, and enjoyed extensive powers over the surrounding lands.

The present abbey church, built between 1738 and 1760 in a neo-Roman style by architect Nicolas Nicole, was commissioned by Abbess Angélique-Henriette d'Amas. The work stopped in 1760 for lack of funds, leaving an uncompleted nave planned at 44 meters. The interior, decorated with white and pink marbles, stuccos and luxurious furniture, was partly dispersed after the Revolution. The abbey, closed in 1791, then served as a warehouse, grain hall and party hall before being partially restored from 1982.

Classified as a Historical Monument in 1886, the abbey has benefited since 2001 from a vast rehabilitation project. The columns destroyed during the fire of the Tuileries in 1870 (carried by Napoleon) were replaced by monolithic columns in white limestone. Today, the building, with underfloor heating and modern lighting, hosts concerts, exhibitions and shows, becoming a major cultural place. Archaeological remains and facades of the related buildings were protected in 2007.

The abbey was also an economic center: the abbesses operated a stationery since 1464, producing chiffon paper, and a toll bridge on the Doubs. They had the income of several local churches, such as Saint-Hippolyte or Dampierre-sur-le-Doubs. The Revolution ended this prosperity, dispersing furniture and archives. Contemporary musical works, such as Odilia de Jacob de Haan (2012), perpetuate the legend of Saint Odile.

The current protections cover the former Abbey Church, classified in 1886, as well as the facades, roofs, floors and archaeological remains of the related buildings, registered in 2007. The abbey, a property shared between the municipality and private individuals, remains an exceptional testimony of 18th century religious architecture and the franc-comtoise monastic history.

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