[1] The two buildings are at the top of the Butte de Fontaine, a small hill overlooking the town of Dijon and the surrounding countryside.

An old reservoir has also been demolished, as have all the buildings against the wall of the former monastery garden, opening up the view of Dijon and the plain before the foothills of the Jura Mountains.

[4] A strong house was built on the Butte de Fontaine in the 11th century, entrusted by the Duke of Burgundy to Tescelin le Roux, father of the future Saint Bernard.

The château was converted into a royal monastery and decorated using donations from King Louis XIII of France (1601–43) and Anne of Austria (1601–66).

[1] The configuration of the castle has changed significantly since the birth of Saint Bernard over nine centuries ago, and the present remnants of fortifications are from the late Middle Ages.

For the sake of the pilgrims, the 19th century restorers tried to give the birthplace of Saint Bernard the appearance of a medieval fortress.