Call for donations via the Fondation du Patrimoine – Commanderie d’Arville
The Commanderie d’Arville is calling for donations via the Fondation du Patrimoine for the restoration of the former lodgings and presbytery. The call for donations aims to support the restoration of the former lodgings and presbytery of the Commanderie d’Arville, a 19th-century building located in Couëtron-au-Perche in the Loir-et-Cher department. This former presbytery, built on part of the medieval house, is currently almost unused. The restoration will enable the site to offer visitors a wider range of services, including a ticket office, shop, tourist office and outdoor terrace.
The Commanderie d’Arville, a Templar site
The Commanderie d’Arville, founded by the Order of the Temple in the 12th century, served as a rear base for the Templars’ activities in the Holy Land. After the Order was dissolved in 1312, the site was transferred to the Hospitallers and then sold to private individuals during the French Revolution. Classified as a historic monument in 1954, it was gradually purchased by an inter-municipal syndicate from 1982 and has been open to visitors since 1999. Today, Arville is recognised as one of the best-preserved Templar sites in France, attracting around 25,000 visitors a year, including 14,000 children in educational workshops. Situated at the southern gateway to the Parc naturel régional du Perche, the Commandery is close to a number of other listed sites, including the medieval town of Vendôme and the gardens of Château de Frazé, adding to the tourist experience of the region.
Source: Fondation du Patrimoine
- Donating for the restoration
Mobilised for the restoration of the site
The restoration of the former presbytery of the Commandery of Arville is being supported by the Communauté de communes des Collines du Perche. Aware of the heritage importance of this Templar site, the local authority is using this cultural facility to boost its tourist and residential appeal. Since 1982, an inter-municipal syndicate has gradually purchased the site, mobilising local associations and residents around the project. Today, around 25 volunteers are actively involved in preserving and enhancing the site’s heritage. The restoration work on the presbytery will involve local craftsmen specialising in masonry, carpentry and joinery, thereby promoting the local economy. Once restored, the building will house areas dedicated to welcoming visitors and administering the site, helping to boost the region’s cultural and tourist appeal, with the aim of attracting 35,000 visitors a year.
Practical information
Launch of the call: July 2024
Making a donation: Here