When was the castle of l'Hospital-du-Fresne founded?

The commandery was built from the mid-12th century by the Templars. It continued under the Order of Malta from 1313 to the 18th century.

What can be seen from the medieval period?

The Romanesque chapel, dated to around 1160, survives with its early 16th-century wall paintings depicting Christ in Majesty surrounded by the four evangelical symbols and scenes of sanctity.

Is the castle inhabited or open to visits?

The castle is today a private property. The chapel remains protected as a historic monument since 1926.

Château de l'Hospital-du-Fresne

Blancafort

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Blancafort

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

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Château de l'Hospital-du-Fresne stands in Blancafort (Cher), in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. The building is registered as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: milieu 12th century). The building is privately owned and no visits are on record.

The castle of l'Hospital-du-Fresne, a former Templar commandery founded in the mid-12th century, preserves traces of successive occupations. Initially a religious and military administrative centre, it became a commandery of the Order of Malta from 1313 onwards. The present mansion dates from 1469, when Jean de Bridiers, the commandeur, had it rebuilt and fortified. The Romanesque chapel, constructed around 1160, contains Renaissance murals depicting Christ in Majesty and biblical scenes.

This place also features in The Knights Templar castles

What to know

The chapel, listed as a historic monument, is the main preserved element of the site and contains 16th-century painted decoration.
The building has transformed over the centuries: fortified residence in the 15th century, a mill added around 1766, then major restoration work in the 19th century.
The site is located in Blancafort in the Cher department, in the Centre-Val de Loire region.

Where this château is

Blancafort · Cher · Centre-Val de Loire

Map of the area around Château de l'Hospital-du-Fresne

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Blancafort, Cher

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA18000024
Period of construction: milieu 12th century

Frequently asked

When was the castle of l'Hospital-du-Fresne founded?: The commandery was built from the mid-12th century by the Templars. It continued under the Order of Malta from 1313 to the 18th century.
What can be seen from the medieval period?: The Romanesque chapel, dated to around 1160, survives with its early 16th-century wall paintings depicting Christ in Majesty surrounded by the four evangelical symbols and scenes of sanctity.
Is the castle inhabited or open to visits?: The castle is today a private property. The chapel remains protected as a historic monument since 1926.