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 promote the Templar and Hospitaller heritage through a network of around twenty 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.
1
Courteix
12th-century church belonging to the Templars. Numerous traces of symbolic stonework, remarkable crosses
crosses, tombstones. 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 stonework (church and
village), remarkable crosses. Open every day.
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders on podcast: Episode Bellechassagne!
3
Clairavaux
The small hamlet of Boucheresse is home to a chapel belonging to the Order of Malta, reflecting the Order’s extensive presence in this area. And in Branges stands the iconic ‘Templar Cross’, which is linked to the local legend of the Templars’ treasure.
4
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!
5
Chavanac
13th-century church belonging to the Hospitallers, numerous symbolic lapidary traces, remarkable statues
remarkable statues, tombstone. 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!
6
Saint-Merd Les Oussines
Parish church, remarkable medieval tomb, open every day.
Outside vault: 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!
7
Lestards
12th century church belonging to the Antonine Order and later the Hospitallers. Numerous symbolic
symbolic stones, tombstones, remarkable crosses, thatched roof unique in France.
Open every day.
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders on podcast: Episode Lestards!
8
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, tombstone,
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!
9
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!
10
Varetz
Commandery of the Knights Templar and Hospitallers, open to visitors from time to time.
St Rémy sacred fountain, free access.
Chapel of the Templars and Hospitallers: information from the town hall 05 55 85 06 19 (key given).
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders on podcast: Episode Varetz!
11
Saint-Robert
St Maurice sacred fountain, free access.
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders in podcast: Episode Saint-Robert!
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 !
Saturday 20 September, as part of the JEP, visit to the exhibition by Eric Solé; artist in residence and tour of the Commandery worksite in the presence of craftsmen.
Θ Guided tours and lectures :
- coming soon
Information: https://commanderiecondat.fr
13
La Cassagne
13th century tithe barn presumed to be Templar.
Ω Follow the adventures of these orders in podcast: Episode La Cassagne!
14
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!
15
Ajat
12th-century church, believed to be 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!
16
Sergeac
Close 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!
Who were the Templars and Hospitallers?
Two innovative religious orders were created in Jerusalem in the 12th century to welcome, care for (the Hospitallers) and protect pilgrims (the Templars).
Their birth accompanied the revival of pilgrimages after the liberation of the city in 1099.
What heritage is involved?
Living and settling in the new Latin states of the East (fortified castles, protection of holy places, maintenance of men-at-arms) was expensive.
The orders were to organise themselves with rear bases, "reporting farms", now called "commanderies", spread across the whole of the European continent, providing logistical and financial support for the East. These commanderies had outbuildings several kilometres away, which multiplied the land holdings and buildings of the two orders, strengthening their 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 the commanderies have survived the ravages of time. Despite this, a wide variety of traces remain in the countryside, telling the story of their history. Thanks to the efforts of local authorities and enthusiasts, and with the support of the tourist offices along the Vézère, you can now rediscover the richness of this heritage through the places where these mythical
knights lived.
Ω A dedicated podcast!
You can also explore the Templar and Hospitaller heritage of the Vézère Valley via podcast.
Enriched and audio-recorded readings, accessible directly on this page. You’ve no doubt noticed, in the windows of the interactive map above, links to listen to an audio commentary at each stage of your journey! In this section, we present the introductory episode, which will shed light on the broader context in which these two orders of priest-soldiers have woven their way into our lands, our histories and our imaginations!
Watch Gerald Ariano’s report on his YouTube channel
Gerald Ariano has taken an interest in our heritage linked to the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller and has posted a report on his YouTube channel. He attempts to unravel the mystery of the Knights Templar...
Watch the video “Where has the Templars’ treasure gone?”
