Commanderie de Notre-Dame-de-la-Boissière

The commandery features a preserved 13th-century chapel with ribbed vaulting, nine ogival windows, and round columns topped with simple capitals that exemplify Templar religious architecture.

Founded in 1181 when Gaudefroy de l'Isle donated his house to the Knights Templar, with Count Thibaut V of Blois confirming the donation in 1183.

The site served as a spiritual center dedicated to the Virgin Mary and provided hospitality to pilgrims traveling the Santiago de Compostela route during medieval times.

The chapel, inscribed as a historical monument since 1928, measures 17.40 meters long and 10.80 meters high under the vault and remains accessible to visitors year-round.

Recent 2021 renovations uncovered an ancient exterior well, interior fireplace, and engravings in the timber framework that reveal new insights into daily life across centuries.

Location: Châteaudun

GPS coordinates: 48.07860,1.33610

Latest update: July 24, 2025 15:31