La Couvertoirade — Attraction in Millau

A superb medieval village with a rich past on the high plateau of the Causses du Larzac, La Couvertoirade tells several stories : that of the Knights Templar who built the castle in the 12th century ; that of the Knights Hospitaller who, in the 15th century, succeeded them and enclosed the town within a ring of ramparts ; and that of the village's economic and demographic heyday with its beautiful 16th and 17th-century residences.

Indeed, 800 years ago in this magnificent village at the summit of the Larzac, the soldier-monks of the Knights Templar, protectors of pilgrims, built their fortress on the rock, not far from the routes leading to the Mediterranean, the departure point for the Holy Land. This rocky peak, an excellent lookout post, was also the only place on this particularly arid plateau to be equipped with a natural water reserve. To passing travelers, the villagers offered the "gift of water." La Couvertoirade—Cubertoirata in Occitan—was an agricultural center for the Templars from the very beginning. On these lands, they had farmers cultivate cereals, raise horses (for war) and sheep (for meat, hides, and milk). A village developed around the castle, which can still be seen today. In 1312, the Knights Templar were dissolved. All their property reverted to the Hospitallers, who became the new masters of La Couvertoirade. The village had 800 inhabitants in 1328. In the mid-14th century, the "Routiers," companies of mercenaries living in more or less organized and often undisciplined bands, pillaged the Larzac. Fearing these armed bands, the inhabitants eventually fortified the town from 1439 to 1445. Déodat Alaux, a master mason from Saint-Beauzély, was tasked with carrying out this work. Unfortunately, the area had already become significantly depopulated. This century of plagues was followed by a century of repopulation and reconstruction, as evidenced by the many houses that still retain features from the late 15th and early 16th centuries. In 1562, at the beginning of the Wars of Religion, the Huguenots attempted to capture the town—in vain. In 1702, the inhabitants armed themselves and restored the gates for fear of the Camisards, but the town was never attacked again. Despite epidemics and famines, a certain prosperity was established. In 1768 the town was established as an independent commandery, granted to the knight Riquetti, Baron of Mirabeau, already commander of Sainte-Eulalie. The Revolution would soon confiscate all the hospital possessions, which would revert to the peasants. In the 19th century, the commune was affected by the rural exodus but maintained its agricultural economic activity. Then, from the last decades of the 20th century, the commune would also exploit its Templar past for...

Sublime !! On y passe la journée à flâner, découvrir chaque ruelle, chaque petite échoppe ! Ne passer surtout pas à côter de ce beaux village classé sans prendre le temps de le découvrir. Je suis ravie de cet endroit, il m'a rappelé un peu le Puy Du Fou mais c'est un village vivant, bien réel, bien conservé et que ça continue ! Ravie aussi de voir que chaque commerçant à sa place, produits principalement de la région, artisanaux, c'est beau, ça sent bon, on a envie d'acheter pour se faire plaisir et surtout faire vivre le commerce local ! Pour ma part je suis repartie avec des beaux livres sur les contes, légendes , les templiers, porte clés fait main en cuir ou bronze, savon au lait d'ânesse... bref la carte bleu a chauffé mais contente de voir que la " chinoiserie" a très peu sa place dans ce village 👍 Le petit moulin est magnifique, bravo pour ce travail 👏⚒️ ! En REVANCHE, j'ai trouvé navrant (pour ne pas être insultante), de targuer ce monument, une honte pour ceux qui font ça, pour les parents qui ne disent rien à leurs enfants ou même aux anciens pour qui ça leur semblent normal de laisser leur trace en dégradant ce beau bâtiment🤬 honte à vous idiots, crapules que vous êtes !! Vous venez visitez un village classé pour " faire bien" et au final vous ne méritez pas d'en franchir les portes ! Un agent devrait être posté sur le site pour surveiller, c'est malheureux mais l'homme est idiot de base ! Je suis partante pour une mutation sur vos terres pour protéger ce site 😉❤️ et les amendes vont tombées ! En tout cas bravo pour ce beau village 😍 j'ai envie d'y vivre, on voyage dans le temps...

Designated as one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France, our expectations were high as we parked in the spacious area provided for parking. It didn't disappoint!

The village is fortified with walls, gates, a castle and inside the walls there's a few passageways to explore with houses, shops and restaurants. The place can be described as full of character and charm in keeping with its history, age and location.

Well worth planning two or three hours at least to soak in the atmosphere and explore the many odd corners you will...