Abbaye-de-la-Bussière

#Labussiere #Hotel #Restaurant #History

Nearest lock: 26 Saône

The Abbey of "La Bussière" os tje 10th sister of the Abbaye of Citteuax.

Founded by the lord of Sombernon, Garnier, the abbey was constructed in 1131, a few miles away from the existing site, under the guidance of the Cîteaux monks. Before the construction was completed, all the buildings were burnt to the ground. The choice was made to move the abbey's site down into the Valley of the Ouche to a place called "Buxeria," which later became "La Bussière."

During the Crusades, the abbey was a welcomed respite for those heading south or north.

As the abbey's influence grew, so did the number of monks, which eventually reached 300. Through the decades, the Abbey had its moments of glory and darker times with the English attacks. In the 16th century, the slow decline of the abbey began, with disputes with the locals, more fires, and destruction of buildings, and then finally, the French Revolution, when the monks were forced to abandon their dwellings. The lands and buildings were divided amongst the local inhabitants.

Until the early 1850s, the buildings simply fell into ruin, the abbey was privately purchased and lovingly restored as a home.

From the 1960s until 2005, the abbey came into the hands of the Diocese of Dijon, it was a retreat and summer school for young and old under.

Now, the abbey is a very high-standing luxury hotel and gourmet restaurant. In 2007, it was awarded its first Michelin star.

Hotel Restaurant Abbaye de la Bussière

Abbey de la Bussiere's park and landscaping are a place of calm and meditation. You can enjoy walking along the monks' paths that lead up into the hills.

In spring and summer, the gardens give an abundance of flowers.

Within the grounds, there are springs, streams and fountains. You can also walk along "Les Chemains des Moines", the monks' paths.

Traces of the very old fruit and vegetable garden are visible and accessible.

La Bussière is home to an impressive oak wine press built in the 16th century. The structure is 5 metres high and covers 12 square metres. It could hold up to 60 baskets of grapes, and 50kg of pressure on the manually operated wheel would provide 8 tonnes of pressure to squeeze the juice from the grapes.

Tombstones of crusading knights remain in the garden.

In the nearby church cemetery, there are ANZAC war graves for young pilots and crew who were shot down during the Second World War.