Writers,
musicians, painters…
Have all succumbed toVézelay's magic...
| some of them were just visitors, | |
others chose to live or to spend some time there… |
Girard de Roussillon (819-877) : Hero, founder of the abbey of Vézelay (858-859)m and inspired by many «songs» of gestiture.
Saint-Bernard de Clairvaux (1090-1153) : On march 31, 1146, he was the founder of the cistercians, preached the second crusade at the place named "La Cordelle" in Vezelay where a cross stands today.
Hugues de Poitiers : Monk in Vézelay around 1160, author of a «Chronique de l’abbaye de Vézelay» (local chronicle of the abbey)
Aymery Picaud : Clerc and priest of Asquins et book author of the " Liber Sancti Jacobi " and the first guide book for pilgrims of Santiago de Compostella.
Théodore de Bèze (1519-1605) : Born in Vézelay, a disciple of Calvin, descendant of a family expert on forgery for the "nivernais" villagers and rich people of vézelay.
| Vauban (Sébastien Le Preste) (1633-1707) : Marshall of France, born in St Léger (Morvan), author of «Description de l’élection de Vézelay » (1696), a book treating about country's poverty. Author of a censored publication the « Dîme royale » proposing the reform structures on tax system. He had acquired the castle of Bazoches in 1678 and had installed a drawing design engeneering office of some of the most famous fortifications. |  |
Edme Etienne Desfourneaux (1767-1849) : Général of the Empire born in Vezelay, his name appears among the 660 names engraved on the 'Arc de Triumph' in Paris.
| Eugène Viollet-Le-duc (1814-1879) : Architect and town planner charged by Prosper Mérimée, then inspector of the Historical Monuments notably one among is the restoration of the abbey of Vézelay. The constuction site lasted 20 years (1840-1860). |  |
Adolphe Guillon (1829-1896) : Painter and landscape designer , made many sketches of the sites and characters of Vézelay between 1875 to 1895.
| Romain Rolland (1866-1944) : Literal writer born in Clamecy, and nobel prize-winner in literature in 1916, lived in St Etienne street, Vezelay from 1938 to 1944. Author of the books: "Au dessus de la mêlée", "Colas Breugnon", "jean-Christophe", and a novel in 10 volumes. His house now is a museum of modern contemporary art named " Musée Zervos " where we can discover the most beautiful details of the collections donated by Christian Zervos to the town of Vézelay. |
|
Paul Claudel (1868-1955) : Diplomat and writer who stayed on many occasions at his friend, Romain Rolland's house.
D.E Ingelbrecht (1880-1965) : Composer and conductor who founded the French National Orchestra. He lived "rue St Etienne".
Georges Bataille (1897- 1962) : Literal writer who arrived in Vézelay in 1943. He is buried qt the cemetery of Vézelay. He lived in "rue de l’Hôtel de ville".
Le Corbusier (1887-1965) : Famous french architect who stayed in Vézelay at his friend's house, Badovici. His sensitive influence is on the transformation of several houses in Vézelay.
Jean Badovici (1893-1957) : Architect, friend of Christian Zervos; lived and transformed 4 houses in Vézelay according to the architectural concepts of the 1930's.
Henri Petit (1900-1978) : Philosopher , radio journalist, war resistant and Best National Award Writer. In Syria, he wrote "Vézelay", an evocation inspired by his attachment on his burgundian home.
| Yvonne et Christain Zervos : Founders and publishers of the review « cahiers d’art», had donated their collections of contemporary art to the town of Vézelay in 1970. They have built up the collection iduring the periods between 1920 and 1960. They lived in the Hamlet of "la Goulotte". Today, the house is managed by the Zervos Foundation who organizes exhibitions of artists' artworks during summer. The opening of Zervos museum (since automn 2005), which is the former house of the writer Romain Rolland; offers the visitors to discover the principal legacy of the art masterpieces of the famous artists in the 20th century : Balla, Brauner, Calder, Chagall, Giacometti, Hélion, Kandinsky, Laurens, Léger, Mirò, Picasso… |  |
Jules Roy (1907-2000) : Novelist and literal writer who lived in Vézelay, close to the Basilica of Saint Marie-Madeleine by to whom he dedicated the pages of "l'amour fou" (the unpredictable love). His house located in "rue des Ecoles" is now a writer's house museum open to the public.He is buried in the cemetery of Vézelay.
Max-Pol Fouchet (1913 – 1980) : Poet and art critic, radio and télévision broadcaster, he lived in "Rue des écoles". He is buried in the cemetery of Vézelay.
Maurice Druon (1918 ) : Writer, politician and french academician . He wrote the text of the last "Lights and Sounds" of Vézelay.
Maurice Clavel (1920-1979) : Man of theater , novelist and philosopher, former FFI chief, he took part in the creation of the newspaper "Liberation" with Sarthe. He lived first in Vézelay, then in Asquins. He is buried in the cemetery of Vézelay.
Mstislav Rostropovitch (1927- 2007) : During winter 1990-1991, this famous musician rendered his complete works of music on "Continuation for violoncelo alone" of Bach recorded in the basilica.
