Commandery des Hospitalers in Sainte-Eulalie-de-Cernon

The commandery of the Hospitallers in Sainte-Eulalie-de-Cernon is a fortified complex of stone buildings grouped around a church with rounded buttresses. The entire site is protected by strong defensive walls and shows typical medieval construction with thick stonework and narrow passages between structures.

The complex was founded in the late 12th century as a station for the Knights Templar in the Rouergue region. Later the Knights Hospitaller took command and expanded it into a strong defensive position during the medieval period.

The complex still shows traces of its past as a refuge for pilgrims and the sick who found shelter here. The stone structures and church furnishings tell of the care this place offered to those in need.

The site is best explored on foot, with paths clearly marked to help with navigation through the complex. Wear comfortable shoes as the walkways cross cobblestone surfaces and uneven ground.

An underground passage connects several buildings and served as an escape route for occupants during times of enemy attack. This hidden passageway reveals the strategic planning that went into the complex's defense.