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Origin and history

Saint-Vivant Abbey of Vergy was founded in the 9th century by Manassès I the Elder, Lord of Vergy, to house the relics of Saint Vivant. Located at the foot of the castle of Vergy on a steep terrain, its mysterious location could be linked to the tomb of Saint Guérin de Vergy, martyr of the seventh century. The abbey, originally dependent on Saint-Bénigne de Dijon, was attached to Cluny in 1087 and became one of the richest priories in Burgundy, exploiting for 650 years prestigious vineyards such as the Romanée-Conti.

In the 11th century, the abbey led several priories and received territorial donations, such as the lands of Flagey and Vosne offered by Hugues II of Burgundy in 1131. Alix de Vergy, Duchess of Burgundy, left him in 1232 his vineyard of Le Cloux of the five newspapers (future Romanée-Conti), which she exploits with grape harvest still visible in Vosne-Romanée. The abbey however lost its priory of Amaous in the 17th century after a long conflict with the Jesuits of Dole, exchanging this domain for the temporal of the priory of Losne.

The grand reconstruction of the 18th century, led by architect Jean-Antoine Caristie from 1766, completely transformed the abbey into a neo-classical style. The vaulted cellars, rebuilt on two levels, are the only remaining major remains. Despite high incomes (£8,565 in 1742), the community, reduced to three monks in 1789, was abolished in 1788. Sold as a national property in 1796, the abbey was almost entirely demolished by its purchaser, Antoine Mollerat, with the exception of the Priorial Church.

In the 19th century, the site fell into ruins and served as a stone quarry. Purchased in 1996 by the GFA de la Romanée-Saint-Vivant, it has since 2001 been the subject of a major restoration led by architect Christian Laporte, based on the plans of 1775. The works, funded by the state and international patrons, saved the ruins and rediscovered artifacts, such as a bottle of wine from the 18th or 19th century. The remains, registered as historical monuments since 1992, today bear witness to the monastic and Burgundy winemaking history.

The abbey was closely linked to the Climates of Burgundy vineyards, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. Its former closed houses, such as the Romanée-Saint-Vivant, are among the most renowned terroirs in the world. The site, owned by an association, remains a symbol of the Clunisian heritage and the Burgundy winery excellence, attracting researchers and history lovers.

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