La Couvertoirade
Knights Templar Village
High up on the Causses, or Moorland, of the Larzac Plateau between Millau and Lodève just off the A75 Autoroute is the Templar stronghold of La Couvertoirade.
Built during the 13th century the village has been partially restored and its towers, walls and old houses stand in splendid isolation in a wild landscape.
A Plus Beau Village
Now one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France the old Village gateway opens onto a maze of streets, passages and slightly more recent houses built by Huguenots who came during the 16th century. The church of Saint Christophe, built by Hospitaller Knights who took the place of the Templars following their suppression, is integrated with the rock and the apse forms parts of the ramparts. Surprisingly it also has some modern stained glass windows by master craftsman Claude Baillon.
Weekly Bread!
The nearby windmill at Le Redounel now sends flour to the village’s communal bread oven and once per week you can enjoy bread, fouace aveyronnaise (brioche) and various local confections.
Don’t miss: the cemetery with the unusual round stelae.
While in the area check out the amazing Viaduc de Millau which carries the A75 over the Tarn Gorge.