In the steps of the Templiers

Our region marks one of the birth places of the Templiers, an order within the church of the late middle ages where St-Bernard registered the rules which would govern such communities. Leaving behind these sites, crossing rich valleys, archeological treasures of which the most precious is the magnificent vase of Vix, dating from the 5th century B.C. have been discovered here. A land of legends and traditions, it’s another Burgundy waiting to be discovered, a land which reveals an appetising array of flavours.

In the heart of these valleys, in the shade of wood, life is enjoyable in the peace of mind of a still protected nature. Hugues of Payns, born in Payns's castle near Troyes, was the founder of the order of the Knight Templars in 1119 and it is St-Bernard which is at the origin of the editorial staff of the rule governing "the order of the warlike monks". Our region constitutes one of cradle of the Templar presence in medieval Europe. In its highlight, the order of Temple included not less than 10 000 commanderies through all Europe. Real farms, they supplied the subsistences to an important community, plentiful reserves allowed to support long seats. The order of the Knight Templars was annihilated by Philippe le Bel in 1307.