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Origin and history

The Commandery of Richerenches, founded in 1136 by Templar Arnaud de Bedos, was built on lands offered by Hugues de Bourbouton, local lord. This Provencal site became a fortified farm and chapel, completed in 1147, while drying out the surrounding marshes. As early as 1138, Richerenches became a major commandership, supervising other Templar houses in Provence, with an economy based on agriculture, vineyards and war horses.

In 1139 Hugues de Bourbouton, after having given his possessions to the Order, was appointed Commander of Richerenches. The command office extended with possessions like Bourbouton or Cairanne. After the dissolution of the Templars in 1312, the land passed to the Hospitallers and then to the Pope in 1320. Today, there are only remains: the abside of the chapel, a fortified barn and traces of defences (mâchicoulis, murderers).

The chapel, probably fortified, had thick walls and defensive elements. The barn, or Temple, was 32 metres long and was also used for defense with a crenellated roof. The building had a partially destroyed lower room and a vaulted high room. The commandery, classified as a historical monument in 1984, illustrates the Templar heritage in Provence.

The Templar Commanders, listed by the Marquis François de Ripert-Monclar in 1907 from the cartular, include Hugues de Bourbouton. The Hospitallers then took over. Historical sources, such as Damien Carraz's work (2005-2008), confirm Richerenches' strategic and economic importance, particularly for his horses for crusades.

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