Baume Abbey
Benedictine·France·Designated historic building, privately owned
Baume Abbey, situated in Baume-les-Messieurs, Jura, France, was a Benedictine abbey with a complex founding history, potentially dating back to the late 6th century or refounded in the early 9th century. It played a role in the revitalization of Benedictine communities and later became a dependency of Cluny Abbey before being secularized. The abbey is particularly noted for its 16th-century retable and is now a designated historic building privately owned and maintained.
Key Facts
- ›Founded as a Benedictine abbey near the Roman road linking Besançon and Lyon.
- ›Early traditions suggest a founding by Saint Columbanus in the late 6th century, though later scholarship points to a refounding in the early 9th century.
- ›Was one of twelve monasteries that owed annual subsidies to Emperor Louis the Pious in 817.
- ›Became a priory of Cluny Abbey in 1147 due to disobedience.
- ›Secularized in 1753, with its canons expelled in 1790 during the French Revolution.
- ›Known for its 16th-century retable and is a designated historic building.
Sixteenth-Century Retable
Baume-Les-Moines
Saint Columbanus, Saint Eutice, Benedict of Aniane, Louis the Pious, Lothaire, Arduic, Louis the German, Berno, Pope Formosus, Rudolph I of Burgundy, Odo, Adegrin, Pope Eugenius Iii, Adrian Iv, Jean De Watteville
- Destroyed By Saracen Raiders In 732 .
- Refounded During the Reign of Louis the Pious In the Early Ninth Century.
- Divided Into Categories By Emperor Louis In 817.
- Granted To Arduic, Archbishop of BesançOn, In 869.
- Fell To Louis the German In 870.
- Desolated By the Normans Between 887 and 899.
- Refounded By Abbot Berno Around 890.
- Placed Under the Protection of the Holy See By Pope Formosus In 895.
- Odo and Adegrin Found Baume Around 909.
- Punished For Disobedience By Pope Eugenius Iii In 1147.
- Became A Priory of Cluny.
- Secularized In 1753.
- Canons Expelled In 1790 During the French Revolution.
About Baume Abbey
Baume Abbey, located in the village of Baume-les-Messieurs in the Jura region of France, is a historic Benedictine monastery with a lineage stretching back centuries. Its early history is marked by scholarly debate regarding its precise founding date, with some traditions attributing its establishment to Saint Columbanus in the late sixth century, while more recent studies suggest a refounding in the early ninth century.
History and Significance
The abbey's development was intertwined with the broader efforts to organize and revitalize monastic life in the Frankish kingdoms. In 817, it was recognized as one of twelve monasteries obligated to provide annual subsidies to Emperor Louis the Pious. The abbey experienced periods of destruction and rebuilding, notably after raids by Saracen forces and later by the Normans. A significant refounding occurred around 890 by Abbot Berno, who was later instrumental in establishing Cluny Abbey. Baume Abbey was placed under the protection of the Holy See by Pope Formosus, ensuring the community's right to elect its abbot. However, in 1147, the abbey was subjected to papal punishment for disobedience, leading to its reduction from an independent abbey to a priory of Cluny. The abbey was secularized in 1753, and its monastic community was dispersed in 1790 during the French Revolution.
Architectural and Cultural Heritage
Baume Abbey is recognized as a designated historic building. Among its notable artistic treasures is a significant sixteenth-century retable. Today, the abbey is under private ownership, with a dedicated group responsible for its maintenance and the organization of group tours, ensuring its preservation and accessibility for visitors interested in its historical and artistic legacy.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Baume Abbey founded?
Early traditions suggest a founding by Saint Columbanus in the late sixth century. However, more recent studies indicate the first reference to Baume is around 869, and it was likely refounded in the early ninth century by Saint Eutice or by Abbot Berno around 890.
What is the religious tradition of Baume Abbey?
Baume Abbey was founded as a Benedictine abbey. It later became a priory of Cluny Abbey, which is also a Benedictine order.
Why did Baume Abbey become a priory of Cluny?
Baume Abbey was punished for disobedience by Pope Eugenius III in 1147 for refusing a direct instruction from his Papal Legate. As a result, it was reduced from an independent abbey to a priory of Cluny.
What happened to Baume Abbey during the French Revolution?
Baume Abbey was secularized in 1753, and its canons were expelled in 1790 at the start of the French Revolution. The village's name changed from Baumes-les-Moines to Baume-les-Messieurs.
What is Baume Abbey known for today?
The abbey is known for its sixteenth-century retable and is designated as a historic building. It is privately owned, and maintenance is handled by a group that also schedules group tours.
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