Abbaye-de-la-Bussière

#Labussiere #Hotel #Restaurant #History

Nearest lock: 26 Saône

This abbey was built in 1103 for Guillaume 1st, under the guidance of the Cluny Cistercian monks. The influence of the abbey grew within the region up to 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 1900s, the buildings fell into ruin, when the abbey was purchased and very lovingly restored.

From the 1970s until 2002, the abbey was a retreat and summer school for young and old.

Now the abbey is a very high-standing luxury hotel and gourmet restaurant. They were awarded their first Michelin star in 2007.

Hotel Restaurant Abbaye de la Bussière

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

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

Water, water everywhere within the abbey, there are springs, streams and fountains.

Within the abbey grounds, you'll find buildings for many different purposes, such as this pigeon house which dates from the 15th century.

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.