Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Saulx Barn, located in the heart of the village of Gilly-lès-Cîteaux, is an agricultural building built in the 13th century by the Saulx family. It is located in a dense area, home to the village's major historical heritage. This building, erected between 1240 and 1280, was part of a vast detached estate of the fief de Montbis after the marriage of Marie de Mont-Saint-Jean with Jacques de Saulx in 1248. Saulx's family retained the property until 1449, when the Cistercians of the Cîteaux Abbey became owners under the impulse of their abbot, Jean Vion. The barn, still dedicated to agriculture, remained linked to the nearby castle until 1989, before being assigned to the commune by the department.

The barn's architecture is distinguished by a pointed gable wall with foothills and a carriageway door, characteristic of medieval utility buildings. Its floor area reaches 500 m2, while its roof covers 900 m2, supported by an oak frame from the Cîteaux forest. Originally, this frame had to support a lava cover, as evidenced by the massive sections of the beams. Classified as a Historic Monument in 2015, the barn is now maintained by the municipality and the association Save the barn of Jacques de Saulx (created in 2004). It now hosts cultural events, while maintaining its role as a symbol of Burgundy's rural and religious heritage.

The history of the barn reflects the seigneurial and monastic dynamics of the region. Saulx's family, powerful in the 13th century, influenced it before the Cistercian monks made it a key agricultural tool. Its late connection to the commune (late 20th century) illustrates the durability of its use, despite the changes of owners. Recent restorations aim to preserve this rare testimony of medieval barns, while adapting to contemporary uses, mixing historical memory and local life.

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