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Origin and history

The Church of St. Eulalie of St. Eulalie-de-Cernon was built at the end of the 12th century by the Templar knights, who had settled on the Larzac along a Roman road leading to Millau. Consecrated to Saint Eulalie, a young Spanish martyr, it became the heart of a convent fortified in the 13th century, integrated into the powerful Templar Commandery controlling access to the plateau. This strategic site, tasked with defending the Millau road, illustrates the military and religious importance of order in the region.

Over the centuries, the building underwent major changes. In the 17th century, the choir was moved west and the apse pierced by a portal, the original entrance being included in the Conventual enclosure. In 1830 chapels were added, and a modern bell tower ran the church at the end of the 19th century. These changes reflect the evolution of the building, from a Templar convent to a parish church, while maintaining defensive elements such as rare circular foothills.

The order of the Templars, owner of a large part of the Larzac, raised horses there for his missions. Their convent in Sainte-Eulalie, built to command the entrance of their estates, became in the 15th century a fortified castle surrounding the village. Ranked a historic monument in 1927, the church today bears witness to this medieval heritage and its adaptation to later periods, mixing religious and military architecture.

Among the architectural peculiarities, there are circular foothills that amortize under the cornice, a rarity for the time. The adjoining templar dwelling, defended by mâchicoulis, shows the monastic and warrior aspect of the site. The medieval decorations added in 1830 on the walls recall the Templar heritage, although after the order itself.

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