Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The abbey of Sainte-Marguerite de Bouilland was founded around 1100 in the valley of Bouilland, on the lands of the seigneury of Vergy, by the powerful local lords. Destined at about sixty canons of the hospital order of Saint-Antoine, it had the mission of fighting epidemics such as plague or the evil of the ardent. The lords of Vergy, returning from the crusades, deposited relics of Saint Marguerite there, giving his name to the abbey. His abbey, inspired by the collegiate Notre-Dame de Beaune, symbolized their prestige and piety.

In 1358, the bishop of Autun Guillaume II de Thurey offered to the abbey the leproserie of Meursault, entrusting the monks to treat the sick there. The institution had a golden age until the 16th century, benefiting from abundant donations. However, at the French Revolution, reduced to a priest and a few monks, it was sold as a national good. Abandoned, its ruins were classified as historical monuments in 1970, marking the beginning of a slow restoration.

Since 1970, the Association des amis de Sainte-Marguerite has been working to safeguard the site, with the support of successive owners such as the Count of Saint-Seine or Philippe Roelandt (since 2000). In 1976, the abbey won the first prize of the programme Masters-d'oeuvres at risk, highlighting its architectural heritage. Today open to the public, it bears witness to nine centuries of hospital and religious history in Burgundy.

Among his notable abbots, Melchior de Saulx de Tavannes (1630–1636), vicomte and influential member of the order of Saint Antoine, marked the history of the place. His will, written in 1636, attests to his attachment to this abbey, located 15 km from Beaune. The ruins, still visible, recall its past role in the fight against diseases and Christian charity.

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