Photos courtesy of Commanderie de la Romagne
In 1050 Romagne belonged to the abbey of Beze. By 1144 the Knights Templar acquired the property, extending their domaine into the neighboring villages as donations increased. After Philip the Fair charged the Templars with heresy in 1307, Romagne was transferred to the Knights of St. Jean, who later became the Knights of Malta.
In the 15th century, Pierre de Boresdon, chamberlain to Louis XI, fortified the property, giving us today’s castle. His coat of arms can still be seen above the Saint-Jean door.
One of Romagne’s more illustrious visitors was Henri IV, who stayed here a month after his victory at Fontaine Française.
During the French Revolution, the estate was confiscated and sold as national property. Stone by stone, some of the fortifications and the chapel disappeared.
In the early 19th century, the property was acquired by the Quenot family, ancestors of the current owner Xavier Quenot. The arch of the Saint-Jean door was damaged by the US Army during WWII and restored in 1975.
Pamela’s Perspective
The commanderie is a small bed and breakfast inn and not a full-service hotel. You’ll find very acceptable restaurants nearby.
Commanderie de la Romagne
A 16th-century castle
Contact
21610 Saint-Maurice sur
Vingeanne
Tel: ++33 (0) 3 80 75 90 40
or ++33 (0) 6 21 69 28 63
Hotel website
Fast facts
3 rooms
Double rooms: 91 euros
18 euros for each extra adult
Rates include tax, service, and
breakfast.
Open: contact the castle
Getting there
From the A31, exit at Til Chatel, go east on D271. At Orville, turn right just after the church. Continue through Chazeuil, Sacquenay, and Courchamp until Romagne. Approximate distance from the A31 is 21 km.
What to do
Nearby: hiking; bicycling boating; visits to nearby castles
Have you ever dreamed of staying in a Knights Templar castle? The Commanderie de la Romagne may be the closest thing to it. If you’re wondering what a “commanderie” is, it’s a small landed estate that once was under the control of a commander of an order of knights.
Most striking as you approach is the Saint-Jean door, which used to be where the original drawbridge was. This historic door gives the commanderie its monument historique status.
The three guest rooms are located in the building of the Saint-Jean door. The ground floor room features a delightful hand-painted ceiling and a stone-vaulted bathroom that once was the castle prison. This guest room also enjoys a private terrace that opens onto the park.
One of the suites features two rooms with wood-beamed ceilings and views of the park and river. The bathroom is found off the hallway that connects the two rooms.
The third suite is over the former drawbridge and has a fully equipped kitchen--a great amenity for families. Views are of the castle tower, river, and countryside.
Breakfast is served in the great room, and you’ll usually find fruits, cereals, yogurts, eggs, and fresh-baked bread on offer.
Something special
Listed as a monument historique
Property in the Quenot family for last two hundred years