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Origin and history

Sainte-Vaubourg is a medieval building located in Val-de-la-Haye, Seine-Maritime. Founded in the 12th century, it was first attached to the order of the Templars after having belonged to Henri I Beauclerc and Mathilde. In 1173 Henry II officially offered the estate to the Templars, marking his entry into the possessions of the military and religious order.

After the dissolution of the Order of the Temple by Philip the Bel, the commandory passed into the hands of the knights of Malta, who managed it until the French Revolution. The estate was then sold as a national good, ending its religious and military role. Today, it preserves remarkable remains, including a 12th century tidal barn and a ruined chapel.

The site has been listed as historical monuments since December 27, 1972, protecting its most emblematic elements: the three-nave tidal barn, the remains of the 13th century chapel, a 16th century vaulted cellar and a well. A 14th century cast iron fireplace plate, still present, bears witness to its rich past. The stained glass of the chapel, saved from revolutionary destruction, was transferred to nearby churches.

The tithe barn, particularly well preserved, illustrates medieval agricultural architecture with its structure and tile cover. The ruins of the chapel, destroyed during the Revolution, recall the spiritual role of the site, while the underground elements (cave, well) evoke the daily lives of the occupants. The path of the Templars, the present name of the path, perpetuates the memory of its founders.

Historical research, like that of Frédéric Epaud in 2011, highlights the importance of his structure in the study of construction techniques in the French West. Today, private property, the commandory combines medieval heritage and contemporary reuse, although its access to the public remains limited.

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