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Our

History

The history of the Abbaye de la Bussière, 
Relais et Châteaux in Burgundy

Former
Cistercian abbey

Our establishment is an authentic Cistercian abbey from the 12th century.

In 1131, it was founded by Etienne Harding, third abbot of Cîteaux, the mother church of the religious order that was to extend its influence over all of Europe.

Our church was consecrated in 1172 and, from then on, many monks occupied this little corner of Burgundy. 

Around the church and over the centuries, therefore, were built a cellar, crypt, cloister, refectory, farmhouse, dovecote, outhouses, wine press, monastic dwellings, etc.

Inspirational
setting

The Abbaye de la Bussière was at its peak at the end of the 13th century. Throughout its existence, this monastic unit suffered successive destructions and reorganizations until it was sold as a national property asset in 1793 (excluding the church which had become the parish church in 1791). The monks were then forced to leave the premises.

At the end of the 19th century, the Baron d’Oissel undertook to renovate the premises. At that time, he called upon the architect Charles Suisse to redevelop the existing buildings in a neo-gothic style and also to create new ones.

In 1921, the Baron’s heiress, the Marquise de Ségur, donated the estate to the bishopric of Dijon to make of it a place of spiritual retreat.

Some years later, the buildings were granted by the bishopric to the Association of the Friends of La Bussière, before being sold in 2005 to an English couple who had the idea of transforming the Abbaye into a hotel.

The abbaye
today

 

Transformed into a luxury hotel, and having since become a member of the prestigious network of Relais & Châteaux, the Abbaye has lost nothing of its distinguished air. Through the centuries, Gothic architecture and Renaissance style have continued to characterize the location. The number of rooms at the hotel is being increased in line with building work undertaken by the Cummings family, always with respect for the ancient stonework.

The gastronomic restaurant, installed beneath the vaulted arches of the former cloister, enjoys a unique setting.

Today, the Chef de Cuisine is François Pelletier,orchestrates the 2 restaurants Le 1131 and Le Bistrot des Moines.

In 2008, the Abbaye de la Bussière received the title of “Hideaway of the Year 2008”, a prestigious distinction awarded by the American journalist, Andrew Harper.