• Historical facts :

In 1959, the Mayor of Savigny thought it would be a good idea to create a fellowship to establish a long and lasting relationship with our guests. Burgundy is a hospitable region and that hospitality is expressed nowadays in the tradition of the ‘Burgundy Gentleman’  :
"Bouteille sur table et cœur sur main". (bottle on the table and heart open)
Our Confraternity was thus born in Savigny les Beaune in the Year 1960 and our motto was :
"Toujours Gentilshommes sont Cousins". (Gentlemen always remain Cousins)
Indeed, everybody knows that a lot of high characters in French History used to address esteemed people as “Mon Cousin”. Our founders were persuaded that the new members could become :
"Cousins à la mode de Bourgogne". (Cousins in the Burgundy way)
Since 1960, the enrollments take place in the Common Cellar (Caveau) of Savigny les Beaune during Goutaillons (Light country meals) during which specialities of Burgundy are served together Savigny wines galore.

• Composition of the Conseil :

The Cousinerie is presided by the Mayeur , surrounded by a Majordome , an Intendant , a Bouteiller, an Argentier , of Cousins Heurleurs and Sommeliers.

• Costumes :

The officiating Cousins wear a 17th century country gentleman’s costume with a bronze velvet jacket, a long white damask vest, a white ruffled shirt, beige breaches, beige socks and black shoes. They also wear a bronze velvet three-cornered hat. . The blue and gold scarf bears the colours of the first Dukes of Burgundy. They are worn on the shoulder , on the right shoulder for Gentlemen and on the left shoulder for Ladies.