The Templar Commandery of Sallebruneau in Frontenac

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Here is a lovely walk east of Frontenac, along paths, trails and quiet roads. The highlight of the route is the Templar Commandery of Sallebruneau, a site steeped in history. It stands isolated in a serene and restful countryside, conducive to contemplation.

Details

n°4385607
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.26 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 46 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 42 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 92 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 44 m
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Photos

A rare welcome on a hiking trail!
View from the south-east
View from the north-west
The herb garden

Description of the walk

The walk starts from the car park of Saint-Paul de Frontenac Church.

(S/E) Head east on the Rauzan road (D231), ignoring a fork to the right which will be used on the return journey.

(1) Take a small tarmac road on the right and 200 metres further on, at the bend, go straight ahead along the path.

(2) At the T-junction, turn right, then immediately left at the edge of a wood. At the end of the wood, turn right and continue through the vineyards until you reach the D123.

(3) Turn right and follow the road for about 600 metres until you reach a path on your left.

(4) Take this path. After 250 metres, walk along the edge of the woods on your left.

(5) Turn right onto a vineyard lane to reach the Commanderie de Sallebruneau.

(6) A stop here is highly recommended! Then continue to the junction with the D123. Cross carefully and go straight ahead, passing a war memorial on your right.

(7) At the end of the vineyard on your right, turn right and follow the woods on your left to rejoin the D123.

(8) Turn right, ignore a turn-off on the left, and continue to the T-junction.

(9) Head left at the corner of the woods towards Frontenac.

(10) Take a limestone path on your left and follow it to a T-junction where you turn right.

(11) Turn left onto the path and continue for about 1 km until you reach a small road. Turn right and walk for about 300 m.

(12) Turn right onto a path between the first two houses you come to. Cross the D123E10 road to reach the Rauzan road (D231). Turn left to return to the church car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 61 m - Saint Paul's Church car park
  2. 1 : km 0.98 - alt. 64 m - Tarmac road on the right
  3. 2 : km 1.79 - alt. 84 m - T, on the right
  4. 3 : km 2.68 - alt. 74 m - D123, on the right
  5. 4 : km 3.22 - alt. 79 m - Engraved path on the left
  6. 5 : km 4.2 - alt. 89 m - Turn right at the fork
  7. 6 : km 4.62 - alt. 84 m - Commanderie de Sallebruneau
  8. 7 : km 5.29 - alt. 79 m - End of the vineyard, on the right
  9. 8 : km 6.26 - alt. 80 m - D123, on the right
  10. 9 : km 6.61 - alt. 81 m - T, on the left
  11. 10 : km 7.17 - alt. 79 m - Engraved path on the left
  12. 11 : km 8.17 - alt. 72 m - Path on the left
  13. 12 : km 9.4 - alt. 52 m - On the right between the houses
  14. S/E : km 11.26 - alt. 62 m - Saint Paul's Church car park

Notes

About 500 metres after you set off, on your left, the municipal cemetery has water points available, which are useful for the absent-minded!

Located just under halfway along the route, La Commanderie is the perfect place to stop for a refreshing snack!

Worth a visit

(DA) Saint-Paul de Frontenac Church, also known as Notre-Dame de Frontenac, 12th, 16th and 19th centuries.

Around 1145, the church was donated to the chapter of Saint-Émilion by Raymond III, Bishop of Bazas. The oldest part is the 12th-century Romanesque nave. The west portal, the columns with historiated capitals in the apse and the cornice with modillions are the remains of this. In the 16th century, flamboyant windows were added to the nave. The bell tower wall was also restored and partially rebuilt. In the 19th century, two more windows were opened on the north side, and three buttresses identical to those on the south wall were built.

(6) Sallebruneau Commandery, 13th and 16th centuries.

The commandery was founded in 1214 by the Knights Templar. At that time, only a church, the Chapel of Saint John, a main building and a garden of medicinal plants existed, protected by fortifications.

In 1296, it passed into the hands of the Hospitaller brothers of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. They founded a modest hospital there, a favourite stopping place for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. However, as this route gradually fell into disuse, the hospital declined and was finally abandoned in the early 14th century. At that time, the site underwent major alterations and a small castle was built.
The religious unrest of the 16th century left the commandery and the castle devastated. Until the 18th century, the Hospitallers used the land, the castle and the chapel, which became the local parish church in the 19th century.

The nave of the church, which is rectangular and has no transept, is separated from the choir by an arch on small columns, of which only the bases and capitals remain.
The flat chevet has three semicircular bays and is supported by three buttresses. Finally, the bell tower wall has two large bays, suggesting the size of the bells...

The castle is built against the chapel. Its square tower, which has survived to this day, had two floors. Equipped with arrow slits, it was an essential element in the defence of the commandery. Was the small vaulted room on the ground floor a dungeon?

To the east, a medieval garden, known as the herb garden, has been reconstructed. Forgotten aromatic and medicinal plants grow side by side in a charming setting...

In summer, student work camps work to restore and preserve this magical place.
Alas, the task will be a long one...

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 14 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Squirrel33
Squirrel33

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route is very good, except that it's not easy to find the right path at the bottom of Frontenac. However, there's a nice surprise between Frontenac Church and the bottom of the hill (I won't tell you what you'll find there, but it's surprising). It's a place worth discovering. The rest of the route is very pleasant and bucolic.

It's a shame you can't picnic next to Sallebruneau Abbey (there's a sign), which is understandable as there's a cemetery and private land behind it, but the little garden is really lovely

the car park around the church was full when we went for a walk on Sunday, but there is a fairly large car park on the right next to the village hall

Otherwise, it's a very beautiful and pleasant route

Squirrel

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User 13378635

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk through vineyards and forest, not very busy. Saw deer. Interesting herb garden at the commandery, which is undergoing renovation.
Best done when it's not too hot, as the white paths reflect a lot of heat.

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Mariedesiles
Mariedesiles

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike with varied landscapes and very few people.
Of course, the remains of the Commandery add a big bonus, and it was a pleasure to see that people are committed to "restoring" this place.

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Doubba972
Doubba972

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

C

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MANU BX33
MANU BX33

Thank you Bibar for your lovely review! 😊
I created this hike about two and a half years ago. Since then, some grumpy people have wanted to preserve their "little personal turf": pretentious fools are unfortunately part of the human race... 😏🙄
As for the warnings about hunting, they are rather commendable, as they serve to prevent tragic accidents...
Nature belongs to everyone, we must share it, unlike the grumpy people mentioned above!
Feel free to browse my website MANU BX 33: beautiful hikes await you there!...
Have a nice day, 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️🥾😉

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BIBAR
BIBAR

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, shaded hike with some very pretty spots, especially the little ruined abbey: very charming. However, in several places, you come across signs saying: "Private road reserved for local residents. Paths closed to hikers from 1 October to 11 November". Hunters chase away hikers...

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berdom33000
berdom33000

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

well-described hike, moderately interesting, quite a bit of tarmac, best avoided in hot weather, and closed from 1 October (hunting season).
The ruins of the commandery remain the only point of interest.

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MANU BX33
MANU BX33

Thank you, Alaiyia, for your kind words.
They mean a lot to me, as this majestic site, for very personal reasons, is forever etched in my heart! That's why I wanted to share these magical vibes. That's what hiking can be all about!
Have a good evening, and feel free to explore my trails in the area (there are about ten of them). They are all imbued with a beneficial bucolic atmosphere!...

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MANU BX33
MANU BX33

Hello, ChantalZ,
Thank you very much for your kind comment, which touches me deeply: Sallebruneau is indeed magical, and I am personally very fond of it...
Have a nice day!

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alaiya
alaiya

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Impeccable route, good description and, above all, a very pretty (and easy) hike with varied landscapes. We didn't see anyone else, but given the season, that's probably to be expected. Thank you for sharing!

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MANU BX33
MANU BX33

Hello, ChantalZ,
Thank you very much for your kind comment, which touches me deeply: Sallebruneau is indeed magical, and I am personally very fond of it...
Have a nice day!

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ChantalZ
ChantalZ

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very nice walk, easy (and not "moderate" in difficulty) even with very muddy terrain, as was the case on Saturday. There are plenty of signposts in the right places, and the description is accurate. The appeal of the walk lies in discovering the beautiful remains of the commandery, which are numerous enough to give a good understanding of its layout. A wonderful immersion in medieval history, in the time of the Knights Templar. A must-see!

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RP33
RP33

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike despite a bit of tarmac. Beautiful vineyard landscapes. Please note that the route will be inaccessible to hikers (local information) between 10 October and 11 November 2021:

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c.leguen@expansial
c.leguen@expansial

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A wonderful discovery, Sallebruneau! A beautiful building with its own little medicinal garden... charming.
A nice place to stop for a picnic!

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Tanguy33
Tanguy33

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike, perhaps a bit too much "road" perhaps, but the return to Frontenac was enhanced by an encounter with a herd of goats in the undergrowth, providing a very welcome change of scenery!

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