Prieuré du Bourget du Lac

The only Cluniac site in Savoie and Haute-Savoie, the Prieuré du Bourget-du-Lac is renowned for its magnificent Gothic cloister.

Site History

The Priory of Bourget-du-Lac was built around 1030 for the monks of Cluny. It was placed under the protection of the Counts of Savoy, who contributed greatly to the priory’s wealth. Rebuilt in the 13th century and restored in the 15th century, the priory is particularly renowned for its magnificent Gothic cloister. The site as a whole attests to great architectural and artistic richness, both inside and out.

Jesuits replaced the monks of Cluny in 1773, after which Franciscans briefly occupied the priory. Sold as national property during the French Revolution, it passed into the hands of several successive owners. Following its acquisition by an art lover who sold it to the Duchess of Choiseul in 1915, the estate was purchased by the city of Le Bourget-du-Lac in 1952. The priory is under consideration to be classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in conjunction with the European Federation of Cluniac Sites. It is the only Cluniac site in Savoie and Haute-Savoie.

About the Project

The current restoration project, for which preliminary studies are underway, concerns the roof of the priory complex. Work will begin in late 2023 and last throughout 2024. This is the initial phase of a broader restoration campaign for the site, which will take place from 2026 to 2029 in preparation for the millennium of the priory in 2030.

The Priory Today

As part of the effort to bring this magical place to life by preserving and enhancing it, the municipality organizes tours of the cloister, the refectory, the kitchen and its 15th-century fireplace, the library with its Cordoba leather ceiling (thanks to the Duchess de Choiseul) and the Saint-Claude Chapel. The priory also holds numerous artistic, cultural and social events. The refectory and kitchen host exhibitions, conferences and meetings, while the vaulted library hosts weddings. In the summer, young prodigies fill the medieval cloister with classical music. Other events include the annual Christmas market and garden parties.

The priory is anchored in history by the architectural, historical and symbolic richness of belonging to the network of Cluniac sites, which for several centuries radiated throughout Europe. The support of the European Federation of Cluniac Sites for its candidacy as a UNESCO World Heritage Site presents an exceptional opportunity for the future of the town while highlighting and honoring its history, which spans nearly 1,000 years.