The Priory of Vernelle was founded around 1172 by monks who built it on a religious site formerly dedicated to the goddess Venus (hence the name Vernelle). Very quickly, the Priory became the property of the monks of the Order of Saint Benedict. A chapel was built. It was finally consecrated to Saint Leu, bishop of Sens under Clotaire II, who stayed in Vernelle. Since that time, the chapel has been called the Saint-Leu chapel. During the French Revolution, the monks of the Priory, wrongly accused of issuing false assignats, were expropriated from the Priory. It was sold for 16,000 francs on February 23, 1791. In 1799, Admiral de Bougainville, a famous navigator, bought the Priory at the same time as the Château de Suisnes. The gardener of Admiral de Bougainville, Monsieur Cochet-Cochet cultivated the first hybrid roses of Brie. Also, the history of the Priory merges with the revival of the rose industry in the 19th century. In 1930, a first restoration campaign was undertaken. In 1980 a second campaign was undertaken to restore this Priory in a luxurious way. All modern comforts have been provided, while preserving the historical heritage.
The field in front of the Priory saw the shooting of the film La Soupe aux Choux. Two houses were built there, those of the two protagonists of the film. They were taken down after filming.