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Origin and history

The Abbey of Val des Choues, founded at the end of the 12th century, derives its name from local vegetable crops (vallis caulium). Located in the Châtillon forest in the commune of Villiers-le-Duc (Côte-d-Or), it initially follows a hybrid monastic rule combining Benedictine, Cistercian and Chartreuse traditions. Its early development made it an influential leader between 1210 and 1250, before a gradual decline.

Linked in 1761 to the Cistercian order under the name of Val Saint-Lieu, the abbey was closed to the French Revolution. Its religious buildings (abbatial, cloister, dormitories) were dismantled in the 19th century to serve as a career. Today, only 17th and 18th century buildings, such as the Abbé's hotel, the portery, and agricultural outbuildings, remain. Part of his statuary now adorns the church of Villiers-le-Duc.

The abbey, isolated in a steep valley, had three successive courtyards: the first sheltered the hostellerie and workshops, the second church (destructed) and the abbey hotel, and the third the cloister (disappeared) and gardens. The latter, restored in 1990, ended in a livery basin. A room called echo, with remarkable acoustic properties, was used to confess leper pilgrims without direct contact.

According to legend, Brother Viard, a Chartreux conversant, retired to this site in 1184, joined by other monks. The charter of foundation, established in 1193 by Duke Eudes III of Burgundy, is confirmed in 1203 by Pope Innocent III. The order of the Val des Choues will swarm to Scotland, melting 21 abbey-daughters, now largely missing. Sold as a national property in 1799, the abbey became a gite and now houses a museum dedicated to veneration.

The materials of the prior's house, disassembled stone by stone around 1820, are reused to build the Château de Rochefort-sur-Brévon. Among the notable priors, Gui (or Wiart) and Humbert, whose tombs were visible in the church, as well as Vincent de Merlet, the first commendate prior in 1508. The abbey was listed as a Historic Monument in 1992 for its buildings and enclosures.

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