Spring 2022

© TripUSAFrance © TripUSAFrance
Deep in the heart of the Aveyron
department, southeast France, the little
village of La Couvertoirade provides a
glimpse into a long-gone past. It is one of
the best preserved Templar Knights villages
in France, and it’s a classified plus beaux
village – officially one of the prettiest villages
in France…
La Couvertoirade is located in territory
known as the Causses and Cevennes, a
UNESCO classified World Heritage site,
listed for its ‘agro-pastoral cultural landscape
of the Mediterranean’. It’s a rather dry
description of a stunningly beautiful area
of France with exquisite countryside where
villages in the valleys look as though they
have been hung on the sides of the hills
like baubles on a Christmas tree. The area
touches on four departments: Aveyron and
Lozère in the Midi-Pyrénées region, and
Gard and Herault in Languedoc-Roussillon.
La Couvertoirade looks out over the Larzac
plateau, a land of fertile valleys and villages
which seem to grow out of the rocks. In the
12th century, this area was considered the
private fiefdom of the crusading Knights
Templar and later the Knights Hospitaller. And
in La Couvertoirade you’ll find the only castle
built by the Knights Templar in France.
There’s plenty to see and fall in love with as
you wander the narrow cobbled alleyways
lined with ancient houses. The atmospheric
14th century church of Saint Christophe
is reached by steps cut into the rock. The
14th century Windmill of Le Rédounel is the
only restored windmill in Aveyron, from its
hilly position you have fabulous views over
the village. The wonderfully well preserved
Templar castle was built at the end of the 12th
century and last updated in the 15th century.
It sit atop a rocky spur, dominating the town
with its imposing high walls.
44 | The Good Life France