La commanderie templière d'Avalleur

900 years of history...

Situated between Burgundy and Champagne, the land of Avalleur was donated to the Order of the Temple before 1142. The commandery grew steadily thanks to numerous donations (forest, vines, land, wood). It was one of the most important in France until the Templars were arrested by order of the King of France, Philippe le Bel, in 1307. Following the abolition of the Order of the Temple in 1312, this vast and rich estate, extending as far as the gates of Troyes, reverted to the Hospitaller Order. The Hospitallers, including Commander Jean de Choiseul, developed the structure of the site, making modifications to the main building in particular. During the French Revolution, the estate became national property. It was sold to farmers, who remained until the beginning of this century.

In 2008, the Département de l'Aube acquired the dwelling and had it restored. To better understand the site?s history, archaeological excavations were carried out. Examination of the dwelling?s walls revealed that they essentially dated back to the original period. In 2020, the Département de l'Aube acquired the chapel, miraculously well-preserved and notable for its painted decorations and impressive framework. It also stands out as a typical example of a Templar nave in eastern France. Its features make the Commanderie d'Avalleur one of the best-preserved Templar sites in France.

The site is now open to the public in summer, and offers a rich and varied cultural program. A team of mediators and volunteers organizes tours, activities and cultural events (conferences, concerts, medieval festivals, etc.) to bring the history of the commandery to life.

Numerous activities are offered:
? Self-guided tour of the Commandery.
? 1h30 guided tour of the Commanderie (booking required)
? Group tours (booking required)
? School classes, vacation and leisure centers (booking required).
? Treasure hunt: During archaeological excavations at the commandery, a mysterious chest was unearthed! With family or friends, come and solve the riddles scattered around the dwelling and chapel, and find the combination that will unlock its secret!
? 3 workshops for children aged 5 and over (booking essential):
-At the Templar table: Make a clay cup based on the model discovered by archaeologists at the Commandery
-The stained-glass workshop: Help the Commandery's master glassmaker create the chapel's stained-glass windows
-The power of seals: Create a Templar seal using the molding technique.

The Commanderie d'Avalleur is open from Tuesday, May 14 to Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Visits, treasure hunts and workshops are free.

DATAtourisme France