The legendaries Knights Templar and Hospitallers have left their mark on our region, a legacy that deserves to be rediscovered. This is evidenced by the “commanderies”, erected at the time on land offered by great local lords such as Ventadours, Comborns, Turennes and Hauteforts. Today, the remains of their castles are still accessible to visitors.
Tourist offices highlight this heritage through a network of 18 sites, offering visits to churches, commanderies, sacred fountains, barns, remarkable crosses and other remains. Explore them during your escapades in the Vézère valley.
Who were the Templars and Hospitallers?
Two innovative religious orders were created in the 1099th century in Jerusalem to welcome, care for (the hospital workers) and protect pilgrims (the Templars). Their birth accompanied the revival of pilgrimages after the liberation of the city in XNUMX.
What heritage is this?
Life and settlement in the new Latin States of the East (fortified castles, protection of holy places, maintenance of men-at-arms) were expensive.
The orders will be organized with rear bases, “rental farms”, today called “commanderies” spread across the entire European continent, they provide logistical and financial support for the Orient.
These commanderies have outbuildings several kilometers around, which increases the land holdings and buildings of both orders, reinforcing local roots, close to the populations. These lands were donations from local lords, reflecting the power of baronies or viscounties such as Hautefort, Ventadour, Turenne or Comborn.
What remains of this heritage?
Not all commanderies have survived the perils of time. Despite everything, many very diverse traces dot our countryside and tell this whole story. Thanks to the effort of communities, enthusiasts and with the support of tourist offices along the Vézère, rediscover today the richness of this heritage through the places where these mythical knights lived
A network of 18 sites in the Vézère valley
1# COMMARK
This castle, saved from ruin since the 70s by the Commarque family, is an enchanting site, with incredible remains.
dizzying sound keep, its mysterious Chapel, Its medieval lanes, Its troglodyte spaces are a real invitation to go back in time.
It was at the time when Gérard de Commarque enlisted as a knight that the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem entered the history of the castle by erecting the keep and its fortifications.
Commarque is a living place through the various mediations and activities offered to visitors throughout the year and providing each of them with the keys to a magical place.
Open from March to October, opening hours commarque.com
🔎 Traveling photo exhibition: date to come…
2# SERGEAC
Close to the Vézère, the church of Sergeac is a discreet treasure, faithful to the first plans of the Templars. Numerous engraved stones, particularly in the choir, the oldest part dating back to the 12th century.
Then it was the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem, who came to settle there and who, unfortunately, had to suffer great losses during the Hundred Years' War and then the wars of religion. In the heart of the village stands the fortified house of the noble family of Cramirac, several members of which were Templars or Hospitallers.
Church open every day.
🔎 Traveling photo exhibition: from Saturday August 10 to Sunday August 25
3# CUREMONTE
The Chapel of La Combe in Curemonte was magnificently restored in the 2000s. It was the property of the Order of Malta with the particularity of having been occupied by the ladies of this Order, "Les Maltaises", participating in their own way in the needs of the Order for logistical support in the Mediterranean.
Visit: Friends of Curemonte Association
🔎 Traveling photo exhibition: from June 29 to July 11
4# WATER TEMPLE (Cherveix-Cubas)
It was originally a Templar site, dependent on the Andrivaux commandery. Passed to the Hospitallers at the beginning of the 14th century, it was attached to the mother house of Condat-sur-Vézère. Remodeled at various times, the dwelling consists of a central main building.
Worth seeing: large stone staircase, star-shaped pebble floor, old altar stone with cross pattée.
Private site, exceptional visits by reservation.
5# AJAT
12th century church, supposedly Templar. Open every day. Remains of the cloister and necropolis. Medieval traces in the village. Free access.
XNUMXth century castle, open to visitors in August. Information at the town hall.
🔎 Traveling photo exhibition: from Tuesday July 09 to Sunday July 21
6# LAGUYON TEMPLE
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 at the town hall.
🔎 Traveling photo exhibition: from Friday August 16 to Wednesday September 04
7# CONDAT-SUR-VEZERE
Commandery of Saint John of Jerusalem.
Contact and information: Commanderie de Condat Confluence Hospitalière association / www.commanderiecondat.fr
🔎 Traveling photo exhibition: from Friday August 02 to Tuesday August 13
8# THE CASSAGNE
13th century tithe barn supposedly Templar.
Private site open to visitors from July 15 to August 31.
Prices 10€.
9# SAINT-ROBERT
Sacred St Maurice fountain, free access.
🔎 Traveling photo exhibition: from July 01 to Sunday July 14
10# VARETZ
Sacred fountain St Rémy, free access.
Chapel of the Templars and Hospitallers: information at the town hall / 05 55 85 06 19
10bis# VARETZ THE COMMANDERIE
A commandery of the Templars in the 12th and 13th centuries, it was passed on to the Hospitallers at the beginning of the 14th century. Destroyed and then rebuilt several times, the farmhouse that can be discovered today dates from the Renaissance with its beautiful chimneys, its staircase tower, its beautiful windows and the many coats of arms that adorn its façade.
This is an exceptional heritage that will be visible to the general public at the 2023 Heritage Days for an unprecedented opening since the French Revolution.
🔎 Traveling photo exhibition: September 21 and 22 during Heritage Days.
11# LABENCHE MUSEUM
Stone deposits from local commanderies.
Open everyday save Monday.
12# SUDDEN-LAVINADIÈRE
Remains of the priory of the Holy Sepulchre and then of the Hospitallers. Free access.
Historic Monument Church, frescoes, numerous symbolic stone traces, burial slab, remarkable crosses.
Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Information 05 55 98 07 53
Archaeological pieces, Treignac media library.
🔎 Traveling photo exhibition: from Monday July 29 to Sunday August 11
13# LESTARDS
12th century church belonging to the Order of the Antonines and then the Hospitallers. Numerous symbolic lapidary traces, burial slab, remarkable crosses, thatched roof unique in France.
Open every day.
🔎Traveling photo exhibition: from Monday August 12 to Sunday August 25
14# SAINT-MERD-LES-OUSSINES
Parish church, remarkable medieval tomb, open every day.
Outdoor fireplace: free access
Church of Fournol of the canons of the Holy Sepulchre then hospitaller, numerous symbolic lapidary traces, remarkable crosses, burial slab. open every day.
Sacred Fountain: free access
🔎 Traveling photo exhibition: from Monday July 15 to Sunday July 28
15# CHAVAGNAC
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 commanders' houses.
🔎 Traveling photo exhibition: from Monday July 29 to Sunday August 11
16# HAYWOOD
13th century church belonging to the Hospitallers. Free visit on opening days.
Sacred Fountain: free access
🔎 Traveling photo exhibition: from Monday August 26 to Sunday September 08
17# BELLECHASSAGNE
12th century church belonging to the Templars. Numerous symbolic stone traces (church and village), remarkable crosses. Open every day.
🔎 Traveling photo exhibition: from Monday August 19 to September 04
18# 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.
🔎 Traveling photo exhibition: from Monday August 12 to Sunday August 18
