The CEM evolved from various groupings of researchers who contributed to the study of the abbey of Saint-Germain in Auxerre.  The CEM coalesced around 1986, and moved into its current location in the mid-1990s. A focus on the abbey led to the development of its archaeolgical crypts and to its publication in 2000.   The focus of the Center has broadened to include the Middle Ages in Burgundy. Beginning in 2001 a principal focus has been the cathedral Saint-Etienne, which is in the process of restoration.

The CEM is housed in the old port quarter of Auxerre, at 3, Place de Coche d'Eau, 89000 Auxerre, FRANCE; tel. (0)3 86 52 06 39: e-mail <cnrs.cem@wanadoo.fr>.  In the view above, the abbey church rises up on the upper terrace behind the building.  The person at the controls of the CEM is Chantal Palluet, see photo below; she coordinates activities and can point you toward someone who can answer your questions about medieval Burgundy.

The photo below, taken in 2006, shows some of the members of the CEM team.  From left to right, Chantal PALLUET, Stéphane BÜTTNER, Fabrice HENRION, Xavier D'AIRE, Sylvain AUMARD, and Gilles FÈVRE.

The CEM has begun to publish results of their varied projects:

CEM 1: Etudes et Travaux, 1998-1999 (Auxerre, 1999).
CEM 2: Naissance d'un ilot urbain: Les abords de la cathedrale Saint-Lazare d'Autun du IXe au XVIIIe siecle, Christian Sapin et Walter Berry (Auxerre, 1999).
CEM 3: De la demeure episcopale a la prefecture de l'Yonne: L'ancien palais des eveques d'Auxerre et son quartier, Juliette Didierjean et Patrice Wahlen (Auxerre, 1999).

Les premices de l'Art Roman en Bourgogne: D'Auxerre a Cluny, les premiers edifices romans apres l'an mil (Auxerre, 1999).
Peindre a Auxerre au Moyen Age, IXe-XIVe siecles: 10 ans de recherche a l'abbaye Saint-Germain d'Auxerre et a la cathedrale Saint-Etienne d'Auxerre, Christian Sapin, ed. (Auxerre et Paris, CTHS, 1999).
Archeologie et Architecture d'un site monastique: 10 ans de recherche a l'abbaye Saint-Germain d'Auxerre, Christian Sapin, ed. (Auxerre et Paris, CTHS, 2000).

Of related interest:

Saint-Germain d'Auxerre: Intellectuels et artistes dan l'Europe carolingienne IXe-XIe siecles (Auxerre, 1990).
Auxerre Ve-XIe siecles: L'abbaye Saint-Germain et la cathedrale Saint-Etienne (Paris-Auxerre-Geneve, 1991).
Edifices et Peintures aux IVe-XIe siecles, ed. Christian Sapin (Auxerre, 1994).