The abbey was named after Saint
Symphorianus of Autun, a 2nd-century
martyr, and was founded by Saint
Euphronius,
bishop of Autun, in the 5th century; its existence is attested in 452. It was attached to the
Abbey of St. Martin, Autun, in 910, of which it later became a priory. The monastery was rebuilt in the 17th century. It was suppressed in the
French Revolution and the surviving premises are now privately owned. It was listed as a
monument historique in 1993 for its buildings and given classified status in 1994 for the perimeter wall. Saint
Germain of Paris (d. 576) was abbot here, as was
Virgilius of Arles (d. October 610).
Saint Marius of Avenches,
bishop of Lausanne in the 6th century, was from the region of
Autun and was believed to have been educated here.
Saint Eustace of Bourges (d. 607) trained here before becoming archdeacon of Autun and later
Archbishop of Bourges. Among the abbey's properties was the priory church of Saint-Symphorien in
Champagne-en-Valromey (1055), in the deanery of Ceysserieu. ==References==