Hospitaller Templar heritage
The mythical Knights Templar and Hospitallers left their mark on our region, and this heritage deserves to be rediscovered. These are the traces of the commanderies, built on land donated by the great lords of the region: the Comborns, the Ventadours, the Turennes and the Hauteforts.
The region's tourist offices offer the Templar and hospital heritage through a network of around 14 sites. Each of them offers visits to churches, commanderies, sacred fountains, barns, remarkable crosses and various remains. Discover them as you travel along the Vézère valley.
Exclusive: don't miss Patricia Darré's talk on Friday 8 November 2024 at 6pm at the CGR in Brive.
1
Courteix
12th-century church belonging to the Templars. Numerous symbolic lapidary traces, remarkable crosses, burial slab. Open every day.
Contemporary statue of Huges de Payens.
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders on podcast: Episode Courteix!
2
Bellechassagne
12th century church belonging to the Templars. Numerous traces of symbolic lapidary traces (church and
village), remarkable crosses. Open every day.
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders on podcast: Episode Bellechassagne!
3
Féniers
13th century church belonging to the Hospitallers. Free admission on opening days.
Sacred fountain: free access
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders in podcast: Episode Féniers!
4
Chavanac
13th-century church belonging to the Hospitallers, numerous symbolic stone traces, remarkable statues, burial slab. Open on Saturdays during the day.
Traces in the village of the houses of the Commanders.
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders in podcast: Episode Chavanac!
5
Saint-Merd Les Oussines
Parish church, remarkable medieval tomb, open every day. Outside fire : free access
Church of Fournol of the Canons of the Holy Sepulchre, then a hospital church, numerous symbolic lapidary
open daily.
Sacred fountain: free access.
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders in podcast: Episode Saint Merd les Oussines!
6
Lestards
12th century church belonging to the Antonine Order and later the Hospitallers. Numerous traces of symbolic lapidaries, burial slab, remarkable crosses, thatched roof unique in France.
Open every day.
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders on podcast: Episode Lestards!
7
Sudden Lavinadière
Remains of the priory of the Holy Sepulchre and later of the Hospitallers. Free access.
Historic Monument Church, frescoes, numerous symbolic lapidary traces, burial slab,
remarkable crosses. Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Information: 05 55 98 07 53
Archaeological exhibits, Treignac media library.
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders in podcast: Episode Sudden Lavinadière!
8
Labenche
Lapidary deposits from local commanderies. Open every day except Monday.
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders on podcast: Episode Musée Labenche in Brive-la-Gaillarde!
9
Varetz
Sacref fountain St Rémy, free access.
Chapel of the Templars and Hospitallers: information from the town hall 05 55 85 06 19
Commandery of the Templars : visits possible from time to time.
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders on podcast: Episode Varetz!
10
Saint-Robert
Sacred St Maurice fountain, free access.
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders in podcast: Episode Saint-Robert!
11
La Cassagne
13th-century tithe barn presumed Templar. Private site open to visitors from 15 July to 31 August.
Prices €10. Parking indicated.
Contact: o.choppin.de.janvry@orange.fr
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders in podcast: Episode La Cassagne!
12
Condat-sur-Vézère
Commandery of Saint John of Jerusalem. Contact and information: association Commanderie de
Condat Confluence Hospitalière
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders in podcast : Episode Condat-sur-Vézère !
Medieval festival all day Sunday 25 August
Θ Guided tours and lectures :
- to come
Information: https://commanderiecondat.fr
13
Temple Laguyon
13th-century church belonging to the Templars, modified in the 18th century (fresco and high altar).
Church open on Thursdays during Town Hall opening hours. Information from the Town Hall.
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders on podcast: Episode Temple Laguyon!
14
Ajat
12th-century church, supposedly Templar. Open every day.
Remains of the cloister and necropolis. Medieval traces in the village. Free access.
14th century castle, open to visitors in August. Information from the town hall.
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders on podcast: Episode Ajat!
15
Temple of water (Cherveix-Cubas)
Originally a Templar site, certainly linked to Temple-le-sec (now Temple Laguyon), these two members depended on the Andrivaux commandery. Transferred to the Hospitallers in the early XIV century, the site became part of the Condat-sur-Vézère Mother House. The current building was constructed on the foundations of the former Templar installations. Altered at various times, the dwelling comprises a central main building with a large square stone staircase. The dining room features a pebble floor laid out in a decorative star shape. The altar stone from the former Saint-Blaise chapel has been reused as a lintel, where you can still see a beautiful cross pattée.
Private site, special tours by prior arrangement.
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders in the podcast: Episode Water Temple!
16
Sergeac
Near to the Vézère river, Sergeac church is a discreet treasure, faithful to the Templars' original plans. It hides some beautiful carved stones, particularly in the choir, the oldest part dating back to the XIIᶱ century. The Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem then settled here, unfortunately suffering great losses during the Hundred Years' War and the Wars of Religion. In the heart of the village stands the stronghold of the noble Cramirac family, several of whose members were Templars or Hospitallers.
The church is open every day.
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders on podcast: Episode Sergeac!
17
Commarque
Saved from ruin in the 1970s by the de Commarque family, this castle is an enchanting site with incredible remains. Its dizzying keep, mysterious chapel, medieval alleyways and troglodytic spaces are a veritable invitation to step back in time.
It was when Gérard de Commarque signed up as a knight that the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem entered the castle's history by erecting the keep and its fortifications.
Commarque is a place that comes alive through the various activities and events offered to visitors throughout the year, providing them with the keys to a magical place.
Open from March to October, opening times on commarque.com
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders in podcast: Episode Commarque!
18
Curemonte
The Chapelle de La Combe in Curemonte was magnificently restored in 2000. It was once the property of the Order of Malta and was occupied by the Order's ladies, "Les Maltaises", who contributed in their own way to the Order's needs for logistical support in the Mediterranean.
Who were the Templars and Hospitallers?
Two innovative religious orders were created in Jerusalem in the XIIth century to welcome, care for (hospitals) and protect pilgrims (the Templars).
Their birth accompanied the revival of pilgrimages after the liberation of the city in 1099.
What heritage is involved?
Life and settlement in the new Latin states of the East (fortified castles, protection of holy places, maintenance of men-at-arms) was expensive.
The orders will be organized with rear bases, "rental farms", now called "commanderies", spread across the whole of the European continent, providing logistical and financial support for the Orient. These commanderies have outbuildings several kilometres around, which multiplied the land holdings and buildings of both orders, reinforcing local roots,
close to the people. These lands were donated by local lords, reflecting the power of baronies or viscounties such as Hautefort, Ventadour, Turenne or Comborn.
What remains of our heritage?
Not all commanderies have survived the ravages of time. Despite everything, a wide variety of traces remain in the countryside, telling the story of their history. Thanks to the efforts of communities, enthusiasts and with the support of tourist offices along the Vézère, you can now rediscover the richness of this heritage through the places where these mythical people lived.
A programme of exceptional visits
We are offering 2 dates to visit the Commanderie de Mons in Varetz (occupied by the Knights Templar from the 12th to the early 14th centuries, then by the Knights Hospitallers of the Order of Malta until the Revolution):
- Friday 22 November at 10.30am
- Friday 6 December at 10.30am
Single ticket price: €12.
By reservation only
Ω A dedicated podcast!
The discovery of the Templar and Hospitaller heritage of the Vézère valley is also accessible by podcast.
Enriched readings with sound, accessible directly from this page. In the interactive map windows above, you will no doubt have seen links to listen to an audio commentary at each stage of your journey! In this section, we offer you the introductory episode, which will give you an insight into the global context in which these two orders of priest/soldier are slipping into our territories, our histories and our imaginations!
