It was after purchasing the little church at Sainte Eulalie in 1152 that the Knights Templar moved onto the Larzac. Sainte Eulalie became the main commandery of the Order. This was the commandery that, together with the Grand Prieuré de Saint Gilles and the Maison de Montpellier, brought in the most revenue to the Order of the Temple and later to the Order of the Hospitallers, until 1789.
Today, Sainte Eulalie de Cernon is a powerful and appealing example of what this military order of knight-monks achieved. Very busy in summer, the village has retained its authentic feel and the medieval streets are a lovely place to wander around.
Opening onto a gorgeous square typical of the South of France with a fountain in the cool shade of plane trees, the castle built by the Knights Templar is flanked by buttresses and a high square tower. Modified over the centuries, it is architecturally very impressive and features some unexpected refinements that are not immediately apparent: a stairwell decorated with frescos and a Renaissance balcony and windows, improvements made by the Knights Hospitaller, the successors of the Knights Templar.
Lastly, you have to see the place where it all began, the Church of Sainte Eulalie in all the captivating sobriety of its sand-coloured limestone.