Initial Foundation XIIe siècle (≈ 1250)
Chapel given to the abbot of Saint-Pierre d'Auxerre.
XIIIe siècle
Medieval renovation
Medieval renovation XIIIe siècle (≈ 1350)
Redesign of the chapel and construction.
1773
Expansion of the chapel
Expansion of the chapel 1773 (≈ 1773)
Work conducted by Guillaume Lezier.
1789
Sale as a national good
Sale as a national good 1789 (≈ 1789)
Turned into a farm.
1965
Acquisition by Benedictines
Acquisition by Benedictines 1965 (≈ 1965)
Become a place of spiritual retreat.
1970
Restoration of the chapel
Restoration of the chapel 1970 (≈ 1970)
Back to worship after transformation.
11 mars 1994
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 11 mars 1994 (≈ 1994)
Protection of the chapel and barn.
2012
Resale of the Priory
Resale of the Priory 2012 (≈ 2012)
End of Benedictine presence.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Chapel and barn, as well as the ground of Parcel B 462 (Box B 462, 466, 467): inscription by order of 11 March 1994
Key figures
Godefroi - Bishop of Langres
Dona the chapel in 1149.
Guillaume Lezier - Prior Priest
Enlarged the chapel in 1773.
Sœurs bénédictines de Sainte-Bathilde - Religious Congregation
Owners from 1965 to 2012.
Origin and history
The Priory of Cours, founded in the 12th century and redesigned in the 13th century, was a religious establishment of the order of Premonstrates. Located in the hamlet of Cours, dependent on Grimault (Yonne), it consists of a house, barns, a stable and a chapel built around two courtyards. The chapel, partially dated from the 12th and 13th centuries, preserves 16th century murals, rediscovered at the end of the 20th century. Its medieval architecture includes dogive vaults, double arches and a flat bedside pierced with twined bays, although its bell tower has now disappeared.
At the time of the Revolution, the priory was sold as a national good and converted into a farm, with its chapel becoming a stable. In 1965, the Benedictine Sisters of St.Bathilde (congregation founded in 1921) acquired the place to become a retreat centre. The chapel was then restored and restored to worship in 1970. However, the decline in religious vocations led to its resale in 2012, leaving only one elderly nun on the spot. Since 1994, the chapel and a barn have been classified as historical monuments, protecting part of this medieval and post-medieval heritage.
The history of the priory is marked by phases of architectural transformation, especially in the eighteenth century with the enlargement of the chapel under prior Guillaume Lezier. The house body, built in the second half of the 18th century, reflects this evolution. After its acquisition by Benedictines, the site regains a spiritual vocation before returning to secular use. The protected elements include the chapel, barn and ground of the plot, testifying to its heritage importance in the Burgundy-Franche-Comté region.
The available sources, including Wikipedia and the Merimée base, highlight the duality of the site: both place of prayer and agricultural activity, then of monastic retreat. Its architecture combines medieval traces (bells, hooked capitals) and modern additions, such as the 18th century glass gallery. Today, the priory remains a significant example of adapting religious buildings to secular needs, while maintaining remarkable historical elements.
