The Commandery of the Templars, the art collection in the church and the summer festival L’Été de Vaour give Vaour a distinctive cultural identity. The Circuit VTT n°22 also offers a practical link to mountain biking. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing the recurring festival programme from the town’s historical and artistic features: the festival takes place every summer, while the town’s founding history, heritage status and art collection offer other ways to explore the area.
Templar History and Art in Vaour
The Commandery of the Templars was founded around 1160 by soldier-monks returning from the Crusades. Its foundation therefore dates to the 12th century; in 1909, it was listed as a historic monument. These two dates mark distinct chapters: its medieval origins and its later designation as a monument. The keep, the main tower of a medieval fortification, stood 19 metres high. During L’Été de Vaour, the Commandery serves as a venue for performances. A historic site thus brings together its medieval origins and its use in today’s festival programme.
The Centre d’Art Pôl Roux in Vaour’s church offers a second cultural perspective. It houses the Collection Pôl Roux, comprising around fifty works created to adorn the church. The works bring art and the church interior together directly; by contrast, the Commandery tells the story of the medieval religious order. For cultural visits, art in a church and a historic religious site offer two distinct points of interest.
L’Été de Vaour Summer Festival
L’Été de Vaour is a performing arts festival held every summer in Vaour; its first edition took place in 1986. The two timelines are far apart: the Commandery was founded around 1160, followed by the festival’s beginnings in 1986. Originally, the festival was dedicated to burlesque theatre. Its programme now includes circus, concerts and clown performances. Today’s programme therefore extends beyond its original focus. During the festival, the Commandery of the Templars is used as a venue for performances. This also gives festivalgoers the chance to experience the historic site as a setting for the stage programme. The festival also features the Village Gourmand, with local dishes.
Dolmen and Mountain Bike Route
The Circuit VTT n°22 Vaour-Milhars is designated Site VTT-FFC; on the return leg, it passes the Dolmen of Vaour. This should not be confused with the Dolmen de Peyro Lebado, which lies near Vaour and is the largest dolmen in the Tarn. When planning your visit, keep the two sites distinct: the Dolmen of Vaour is on the return leg of the loop, while Peyro Lebado is noted for its proximity to Vaour and its size within the Tarn.
Getting There and Accommodation
Vaour is part of the Rézo Pouce ride-sharing network. If you plan to use this option to get there, check its current availability before travelling. When looking for a holiday rental in Vaour, you can start by deciding what brings you to the area: if you’re going to a performance or the Village Gourmand, check your travel dates against the dates and programme of the current festival edition.
Discover more destinations: Poudis, Damiatte, Crespinet, Mont-Roc, Tanus, Pont-De-Larn, Marsal, Castelnau-De-Brassac
For the main travel overview: Tarn.
