Yvelines: The Templar Commandery and its historic chapel reinvented as the Digital City

In Élancourt, in the Yvelines, the Commandery of the Templars of La Villedieu has weathered the centuries, reinventing itself as a true digital hub, set between a listed medieval chapel, free exhibitions, and innovative tools for everyone.

Sometimes you have to travel across centuries of history to stumble on a real surprise. In Élancourt, in the Yvelines, eighteen kilometers to the west of Versailles, the Commanderie des Templiers de la Villedieu is one of those places you wouldn’t expect to find in the midst of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines’s urban sprawl. Founded between 1150 and 1180 by the warrior-monk knights of the Order of the Temple, it was then the first milestone on the Chartres route for pilgrims heading to Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. Inaugurated in its new life on September 21, 2024 for the European Heritage Days, this monument historique has been transformed into a digital third place that contrasts with its appearance and its history, a beautiful way to keep French heritage alive.

What is the history of the Knights Templar Commandery of Élancourt?

Like the other Templar commanderies across Western Europe, the Villedieu commandery was tasked with providing the human, financial, and logistical resources that enabled the order to fight in the Near East. It stood as much a vast agricultural estate as a military and spiritual center. Following the royal decree of 1307 ordering the arrest of the Templars in France, Raoul de Taverny, then the preceptor of Villedieu, was seized in Paris and interrogated in November 1307.

The commandery subsequently fell under the authority of the Hospitallers of Saint John, then was sold as national property during the Revolution before becoming, in the 19th century, the main Élancourt farm. Operated until 1963, it was later transformed into a cultural center. The meulière-stone chapel, the sole authentic vestige of the Templar era, has been listed in the Supplementary Inventory of monuments historiques since 1926. It alone is worth the trip, with its contemporary stained glass that plays with light in a remarkably striking way.

The medieval chapel, a stunning setting for free exhibitions

Perhaps the most tantalizing aspect of the Commandery for visitors who aren’t necessarily looking to dive into digital experiences. Throughout the year, the 12th‑century chapel hosts free exhibitions and original performances, produced in partnership with local cultural players. Nestled beneath its meulière masonry and contemporary stained glass, the artistic offerings take on a distinctive resonance—there’s something striking about encountering a contemporary artwork inside a building eight centuries old. The chapel is freely accessible every Wednesday and Saturday from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, excluding public holidays, making it a wonderful, budget-friendly outing. A good reason to return as new artistic proposals unfold.

What can you do at La Commanderie, SQY's digital hub?

That's where the place really surprises. Born from a collaboration between the 12 communes of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines and co-financed by the European Union, the project revolves around five pillars: education, culture, solidarity, sustainability and innovation. Like the knights of old had their vows, the new Comm@nderie has its own: five commitments that cover cultural digital, environmental, social, educational, and innovative service. A way to give real coherence to the whole, far beyond a mere curiosity factor.

First up is a Micro-Folie, the digital museum created by La Villette in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture. It opens access to more than 2,000 works from leading national and international institutions, displayed on a large screen alongside about thirty interactive tablets. This doorway to culture is particularly meaningful in a peri-urban setting, and it proves popular with both families and school groups.

Alongside that, the Comm@nderie offers a FabLab for creatives, a space for educational robotics, a webradio and a webTV dedicated to media education, and a gaming room with video game tournaments. All of this is completed by a digital escape game EVA in the old chapel, inviting visitors to solve geolocated puzzles to journey through the site’s different eras. A playful way to bring the stones to life, suitable for both children and curious adults. The roster of workshops, tours, and conferences is renewed every quarter and can be viewed on the Commandery’s website.

Who is the Commandery of the Knights Templar of Villedieu for?

Clearly a destination for those who love contrasts: medieval meulière walls on one side, screens and VR headsets on the other. It’s a place to visit with family to blend heritage and digital discovery, with school groups for tailored workshops, or simply among curious visitors looking for a slightly different outing in the Yvelines. History buffs will relish the chapel and its free exhibitions, while culture and technology enthusiasts will find plenty to do with Micro-Folie and the FabLab.

The Commanderie des Templiers de la Villedieu is located on Route de Dampierre, D58, in Élancourt. It is easily reachable by car from Paris via the A13 followed by the A12 toward Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, or by public transport from La Verrière station using buses 5131, 5132 and 5188, with the stop at Chapelle de La Villedieu. The site is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00. The chapel opens free of charge every Wednesday and Saturday from 14:00 to 17:00, excluding public holidays. To book or consult the schedule, visit the official site or contact the Commanderie at commanderie@sqy.fr.

To extend the stroll into the Templar heritage in Île-de-France, you can also explore the Commanderie des Templiers de Coulommiers, regarded as the best-preserved Templar complex north of the Loire. And for those who enjoy getaways in the Yvelines, the Nuit des musées à la Commanderie is also a great pick to look out for each year in May.