Nevertheless, it's difficult to date them exactly. Further to the great invasions of the third century, the roman empire sets up in the whole Gaul posts of mercenaries native of central and eastern Europe. In the Sth century there is a second wave of invasions from central and eastearn Eruope (Sarmates, Taïfales from Ukrain, Alamans from western Germany, Marcomans, german peoples from central Europe who are assimilated to the Franks, and the Burgondes arrived during the 5th century. So the country of Souvigny is situated on the limit of two statesdominated by the Wisigoths on the left bank of the river Allier, and by the Burgondes situated on the right bank. In the 6th century, the Franks conquer and sketch right up to Auvergne. As an exarnple, the first Sire of Bourbon, Ayrnar received movements from different architectural influences. The church of Souvigny is a key~monument where these different influences can be picked out. Most of roman chuches of the region of Souvigny form an homogeneous group, melting traditions from Auvergne and Bourgogne (Burgundy). Influences from Berry can be found in Saint-Menoux. The influence of Auvergne is more present in Meillers and Autry-Issards. In the country of Souvigny, The gothic architecture concerns essentialy the church of Souvigny because the Sainte Chapelle of Bourbon IArchambault pratically disappeared . While the first part of the Xlllth century, the Bourbonnais see appearing fortresses. The more important are these of Bourbon IArchambault, Murat and Chantel1e (belonging to Bourbons) . As from the XVllth century, many "maisons fortes" were converted into seignorial residences. The best example is the « Château du vieux Bost'Z» (Besson). In the modern era, the country of Souvigny is caracterized by an early industrialization, as soo~s 1755~ with the creation of the glass-factory of Souvigny, the intensified thermal activity ot Bourbon IArchambault in the XVllth or the coalmine of Noyant as from the XVlth century In the X IX th century, our region is delimited by a particular sort of enclosure called « bocage » (farmland criss-crossed by hedges and trees) that remains nowadays, and caracterized by a system of farming, the « métayage » (a landowner entrusts a metayer with droperties and production) . The "locaterie" is a house where men and animais are gathered.
The South Barn is dedicated to the past of Souvigny village of the area of the center of France to the surprisingly rich inheritance: Souvigny, cradle of the Bourbons and Elder daugther of Cluny. The Whole of Souvigny priory (XI-XV-XVIII th. centuries, gives one of the best preserved image of the spiritual radiance and the artistic magnificence of the ancient religious order of Cluny, which owned mor than 1 000 foundations in the XII th. century. Souvigny was considered one of the "five daughter" of Cluny. In the X th. century, the monks settled in Souvigny under the protection of the first lords of Bourbon, who constitued the nucleus of Bourbonnais at the borders of Auvergne, Berry, Burgundy. Two holy abbots of Cluny, Mayeul and Odilon, died and were buried in Souvigny. The Bourbons, ancestors of the kings of France, made the choise of being buried in this church. The roman St Peter and St Paul church, altered in the gothic times, reflects this prestigious history : "St Mayeul's and St Odilon grave", capitals, funeral chapel and statues of the Bourbons.