Hauts LieuxChapels, sanctuaries & legends

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Templar siteCharente-Maritime

Commanderie des Épeaux

Meursac

Dimensions
Dwelling and remains of the chapel, much altered over the centuries; "the present layout no longer has anything in common with the original arrangement" (records of priory visitations).
Period
Probably built in the second half of the 12th century; first recorded in 1227. Seat of a bailiwick in the 13th century. Passed to the Hospitallers after 1312.
What stands there
remains of the dwelling and the chapel, incorporated into a private farm

Having become the seat of a Templar bailiwick as early as the 13th century, the commandery of Les Épeaux administered several dependent houses in the Saintes region. It went through difficult decades in the 14th century, struck by the ravages of the Hundred Years' War and by the Black Death of 1348. Its last known Templar commander, Hugues de Narzac, was questioned during the great trial of the order in 1311. The present dwelling, much altered over the centuries, no longer gives any hint of the original Templar layout and remains today a private farm closed to the public.

Liste des commanderies templières en Charente-Maritime — Wikipédia ↗

Further reading

Getting there : private property — not open to visitors

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

See it on the map OpenStreetMap Directions

Ambient sound

Nearby

This place in the great stories

In the same department

All places — Charente-Maritime (12).