Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The abbey of La Bussière, also known as Notre-Dame des Trois Vallées Abbey, was founded in 1131 by Garnier de Sombernon on land given to Étienne Harding, Abbé de Cîteaux. Originally installed at the place called Aseraule (or Tres Valles), it was destroyed by fire in 1132, then rebuilt at its present location near the confluence of the Arvo. The church, consecrated in 1172, was enlarged in the 13th century, while the convent buildings (cell, refectory, dormitory) were built in a sober Cistercian style. The abbey became a burial place for the wives of the Dukes of Burgundy and quickly enriched with donations from local lords and the Burgundy nobility.

In the 14th century, the abbey suffered the consequences of the Hundred Years' War: in 1360, the English looted the area, forcing the monks to flee to Dijon. King John the Good helped to rebuild after 1361. Despite conflicts with the bishops of Autun over visiting rights, the Bussière retained its privileges, confirmed by Popes Luce III and Nicholas IV. In the 15th century, the regime of the beginning weakened its spiritual influence, transforming the abbey into an ecclesiastical benefit. Two fires, in 1683 and 1706, seriously damaged the buildings, including the church, partially rebuilt in the 18th century with a shortened nave.

At the Revolution, the abbey was sold as a national property in 1791, but the church became parish. In the 19th century, the Hély d'Oissel family undertook a major restoration, entrusting the works to architect Charles Switzerland. The buildings, transformed into spiritual retreats in the 20th century, now house a luxury hotel. The church, classified as Historical Monument in 1981, preserves Romanesque and Gothic elements, including medieval tombs and a remarkable Marian bas-relief. The 13th century cellar, with its press, and the remains of the cloister bear witness to its monastic past.

The Abbey of the Bussière illustrates Burgundy Cistercian architecture, marked by simplicity and functionality. Its history reflects the tensions between ecclesiastical and secular power, as well as the political and military hazards of medieval Burgundy. The restorations of the 19th and 20th centuries preserved this heritage, while adapting to contemporary uses, mixing historical memory and modernity.

Key figures related to the abbey include Marguerite de Ventadour (died 1399), Countess of Joigny buried in the church, and Loys de la Trémoille (died 1465), Sire de Bourbon-Lancy. The Dukes of Burgundy, like Eudes III and Eudes IV, exercised their protection and made donations there. The abbey was also a place of conflict with the bishops of Autun, especially Guy de la Chaume in the 14th century, who tried unsuccessfully to impose his jurisdiction.

Today, the abbey is partially visited, with its church, vaulted cellar, and gardens. The site, classified and protected, attracts for its history, architecture, and preserved natural setting. Recent restorations have highlighted elements such as the chapel of the Founders (former armarium) and the analemmatic sundial installed in 1988, highlighting the link between heritage and innovation.

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