Montbard is a commune in the Côte-d'Or department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in eastern France. It's located approximately 300 kilometers southeast of Paris and 65 kilometers northwest of Dijon. The population of Montbard was just under 5,000 inhabitants.
The city is best known for its connection to the Enlightenment writer, philosopher, and naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, one of the major figures of the French Enlightenment. He was born in Montbard in 1707.
Montbard's primary historical attraction is the Buffon's Forge (Les Forges de Buffon), a historic industrial site where Buffon carried out many of his experiments. The forge was a major center of ironworks in the 18th century and is now a museum showcasing the history of industry in the period.
History: The city of Montbard is of considerable antiquity, and in the Middle Ages was the capital of the powerful fiefdom of the dukes of Montbard. The town was fortified, and there were in the 12th century five great feudal families in Montbard, who were the owners of five castles. Today, remnants of these castles can still be seen in the city.
Buffon's Château: Adjacent to Parc Buffon is the Château de Buffon, an estate that once belonged to Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon. While the château isn't open to the public, it's still an interesting site from an architectural perspective.
Click here to read more about the castle and grounds in our review.
Buffon’s Forge: Buffon’s Forge (Les Forges de Buffon), as mentioned earlier, is one of the key sites in Montbard. The forge was created by Buffon in the 18th century when he was the intendant (administrator) of the powerful Jardin du Roi in Paris. He used it for experimental work on the nature of metals and the process of smelting and creating alloys, contributing to the knowledge of metallurgy. The museum today demonstrates the industrial processes of the time.
Musée Buffon: The Musée Buffon is dedicated to the life and work of Buffon. It includes exhibits on his contributions to science, especially his monumental work, "Histoire Naturelle."
Fontenay Abbey: Fontenay Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery located in the commune of Marmagne, near Montbard, in the département of Côte-d'Or in France. It was founded by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux in 1118, and built in the Romanesque style. The Abbey is known for its remarkable state of preservation, maintaining its original architecture with little alteration since its construction in the 12th century. It consists of the church, cloister, dormitory, chapter house, caldarium, dovecote, and forge, all set in a secluded valley. The Abbey was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 for its historical significance and architectural brilliance.
More about this abbey in a future article.
Saint-Loup Church: This is the main religious building in Montbard. The current church building was completed in the late 17th century, but it stands on a site that has hosted religious structures since at least the 9th century.
Natural Environment: Montbard is situated in a region renowned for its natural beauty. Close by are the Morvan Natural Regional Park and the Burgundy Canal. The area is popular with outdoor enthusiasts for its walking, cycling, and boating opportunities.
Cuisine: Being in Burgundy, Montbard is also surrounded by a rich culinary tradition. The Burgundy region is famous for its wines, including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as mustard (notably Dijon Mustard), snails, and "Boeuf Bourguignon" (Burgundy beef), a slow-cooked beef stew with red wine.
For transportation, Montbard has a TGV station, making it easily accessible from larger cities like Paris and Lyon.
Conclusion
Montbard might not be your primary destination, but it indeed offers an interesting experience if you find yourself in the vicinity or have traveled there via the TGV. It's a town that pleasantly surprises its visitors with its charm once they're already there.