The forming of the valley. Traces of mankind in caves.
The archeological sites at Mâlain with Mediolanum
Jean de Chaudenay, the Castle of Marigny, the Lord of Mont Saint Jean.
The rise of the Dukes of Burgundy and construction of fortified castles.
The fuedal lords battled for control of the valley, which allows access to the rich vine yards of Burgundy.
The impact of the French revolution on the villages and population. The destruction of religious and noble buildings, the change of names for many villages and towns. The distribution of land and wealth between the population.
The arrival of steam power and the opening to the world with the Burgundy Canal. Prior to the construction of the canal, the valley was a collection of isolated farming villages, the nearby vine yards stealing the economic importance.
The building of the canal was an important a development for the villages, it would be as if an airport was placed in the region today. Suddenly these small farming villages had an access to the world, with barges carrying hundreds of tons of cargo passing by the front door.
With the deaths of so many men, many villages were left to the women who had to rebuild their communities and farm the land by themselves. The local populations were devastated and manpower was difficult to find.
As there was very little industry, the valley was not subjected to heavy bombing, however the German occupation was as strict as the other parts of France. Control of the railway lines, canal and roads was important.
However, the Axis had much difficulty in controlling the French Maquis, who benifitted from the hills and forest to hide surrounding the valley with isolated farms and buildings.
The villages of Sainte Marie sur Ouche and Pont de Pany suffered the most, with the executions of Resistant members.
The battle of Leuze.
Commonwealth War graves can be found at La Bussiere sur Ouche, Vandenesse en Auxois.
The shooting down of a RFA Short Sterling in 1943
Read eyewitness reports and memories of the Second World War, translated with the kind permission of Pierre LALIRE.
