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Origin and history

The Abbey of St. Mary and St.Andoche of Autun was founded in 592 by Queen Brunehilde, on the presumed location of an ancient Roman temple dedicated to Diane or Minerva. From its creation, it was placed under the jurisdiction of the bishop of Autun and enjoyed pontifical privileges confirmed by Pope Gregory the Great in 602. This monastery, conceived as a xenodochium (hospice for poor travellers), was located near a Roman gate of the first century, later integrated into its buildings.

Over the centuries, the abbey experienced conflicts of jurisdiction, particularly in 1449 when the abbesse Marie of Vienna challenged the episcopal authority, leading to interventions by the Paris Parliament and Pope Nicholas V. Tensions culminated in 1678, when Bishop Gabriel de Roquette tried to suppress disciplinary excesses, causing a crisis in which the abbess barricada with nuns. The buildings, rebuilt in the 15th, 17th and 19th centuries, now house offices, while the Carolingian crypt, which was listed as historical monuments in 1993, remains a major vestige.

The architecture of the abbey reflects its evolution: a primitive church that disappeared in the 15th century, a crypt with arches supported by Carolingian pillars, and a chapel of Saint Sacrament rebuilt in the 19th century. The site also retained liturgical objects, such as burettes attributed to St.Andoche, and archives rich in obituaries and charters. The abbey had parish lands and rights in several Burgundy villages, testifying to its economic and spiritual influence until the Revolution.

The monastic life in St.Andoche was rhythmic by processions, like that of the Palms, which crossed Autun while stopping in holy places. Abbesses, often from noble families, played a key role in conflicts with bishops, such as Louise de Clugny or Marie de la Baume. The decline began in the 18th century, with revenues estimated at 10,000 pounds in 1762, before its transformation into administrative buildings.

Archaeological excavations revealed a 13.9 m by 10.3 m crypt using Carolingian construction techniques, as well as a medieval cemetery with east-west-facing graves linked to xenodochium. Skeletals with traces of pathologies (anemia, syphilis) suggest hospital function. The abbey, now owned by a cult association, also retains a Roman tower integrated with its western facade, recalling its ancient origins.

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