The Cluniac priory of Le Bourget is situated on the southern shore of the lake of the same name. Of medieval origin (11th century), it remained active until the 16th century. Today it preserves substantial structures, both in the church and in the other surviving monastic buildings, with elements dating from the various periods of its history.
The origins of the priory of Le Bourget are unclear. Around 1030, Count Humbert I of Savoy (c. 970 - c. 1048) granted properties located at Matassine, including a church, to Abbot Odilo of Cluny (994-1049). It is possible that a Cluniac priory was established there. His son, Amadeus I of Savoy (c. 1016 - c. 1060), added further possessions at the same site. It is not until 1058 that the existence of a priory at Le Bourget is documented. This may refer to the transfer of the priory from Matassine or to a direct foundation at Le Bourget at an undetermined date.
Le Bourget continued to enjoy the protection of the Counts of Savoy. Humbert II of Savoy (d. 1103) made a further donation in 1087. The influence of the comital house lasted until the mid-13th century. At that time, the counts maintained a residence within the priory itself, which they retained until they built a nearby castle. After a period of decline, from 1432, when Aynard de Luyrieu was appointed prior, and until the 16th century, Le Bourget experienced a phase of prosperity.
Photo by Guilhem Vellut, on Wikimedia
During the tenure of Aynard and his two successors, Oddon II and Oddon III, all members of the Luyrieu family (1432-1515), the church and cloister were rebuilt. Subsequently, the priory came under commendatory priors and entered into decline. It remained active until 1582, when it passed into the hands of the Jesuits. After the suppression of the Society in 1773, the property was transferred to the Franciscans of Chambéry. Following the Revolution, by then without a religious community, it was sold and began a period of deterioration that lasted until the late 19th century, when a new phase of conservation and restoration began.
The crypt is the oldest part of the church and dates from the founding period (11th century). The nave and the chancel belong to the 13th century; at that time a rood screen decorated with polychrome high reliefs (1250-1260) was constructed, which was dismantled in 1825. These reliefs are now arranged in the apse of the church. After suffering fires and reaching a state close to ruin, much of the church, as well as other monastic buildings, was rebuilt in the 15th century. The cloister, from the same period, had two storeys and survives in part. Further modifications were later carried out, including alterations to the vaults and the construction of chapels within the church.
Reliefs from the rood screen
Photo by Guilhem Vellut, on Wikimedia
Detail of Le Bourgel proche a Chambery
Étienne Martellange (1618)
Bibliothèque nationale de France
- BAUDRILLART, Alfred (1938). Dictionnaire d'histoire et de géographie ecclésiastiques. Vol. 10. París: Letouzey et Ané
- BESSE, J.-M.; i altres (1939). Abbayes et prieurés de l'ancienne France. Vol. 9: Province ecclésiastique de Vienne. Abbaye de Ligugé
- BURNIER, Eugène (1866). Le château et le prieuré du Bourget. Mémoires et documents publiés par la Société savoisienne d'histoire et d'archéologie, vol. X. Chambéry
- BUTTET-D'ENTREMONT, A. de (1913). Notes historiques sur l’église et le prieuré du Bourget. Mémoires et documents publiés par la Société savoisienne d'histoire et d'archéologie, vol. LIV. Chambéry
- JANIAK, Axelle (2023). De part et d’autre du jubé. Aménagement et topographie liturgiques de l’église du Bourget-du-Lac (XIIIe-XVe siècles). París: Éditions de la Sorbonne
- OURSEL, Raymond (1990). Lyonnais, Dombes, Bugey et Savoie romans. La nuit des temps, 73. Zodiaque
- EYNAUD, Jean-François; ed. (2002). Espaces monastiques ruraux en Rhône-Alpes. Alpara
- SALET, Francis (1965). L'église du Bourget-le-Lac. Congrès archéologique de France. 123 ss. Savoie. Société française d'archéologie
The priory of Le Bourget stands on the southern shore of the lake of the same name, north of Chambéry