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Origin and history

The Commanderie of Celles, located in the Cantal in Auvergne, was founded in the 1st quarter of the 13th century by the Templars around a pre-existing Romanesque church. Organized as a quadrangular stronghold with corner towers and central courtyard, it became a major administrative and religious center for the Order. After the dissolution of the Templars in 1312, the site was assigned to the Hospitallers of Saint-Jean-de-Jérusalem, who made it a strategic commandery in the region.

In 1360, the commandary was set on fire by the Anglo-Gascon troops during the Hundred Years' War, then rebuilt from 1370 under the direction of Béraud de Dienne, hospital commander. The 14th century elements still visible today include the west house body, the fortified south gate, a stair tower and a circular flanking tower. The site experienced further destruction during the Calvinist and League disturbances, requiring major repairs between 1718 and 1732 (granges, castle, church).

Sold as a national property in 1793 after the Revolution, the commandory was partially remodelled in the 19th century, especially in 1883 with the modification of the body of the west house (deletion of the vaults, enlargement of the openings). The church, an ancient Templar chapel, preserves a vaulted Romanesque nave in a cradle and a flat choir. Unique in Auvergne for its preserved interior features (caving cabinet, dormitory, monumental fireplaces), the site was classified as Historical Monument in 1990 for its military and religious architecture.

The Commandery administered a vast land estate, including 358 censitaires in 25 villages and 7 parishes in the 18th century. She received tithes and rents via three tithe barns (Ribbes, Giraltat, La Rivière) and had four appendices (Allanche-Pradiers, Auriac, Narnhac, Tempel). These dependencies bear witness to its economic and spiritual role in the medieval and modern Haute-Auvergne.

Historical sources, such as the pontifical investigations of 1373 or the work of Canon Hippolyte Bouffet (1914-1916), reveal the conflicts and alliances of the Hospitallers with the local lords (Vicomtes de Carlat, Armagnac). The command office declined after the Revolution, but its hybrid architecture — combining Templar fortifications, hospital reconstructions and modern additions — made it an exceptional testimony of 8 centuries of religious and military history in Auvergne.

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