La Couvertoirade - Aveyron, Midi-Pyrenees, France travel

Visitez La Couvertoirade : gites | hotels | location des voitures | explore Midi-Pyrenees

La Couvertoirade ('most beautiful villages of France') is 20km north of Lodève, in Aveyron.

Tourist Information

La Couvertoirade is set in the heart of the Midi-Pyrenees, where it has played an important role since the 12th century. A chapter of the medieval Knights Templar was located here in the 13th century and played a key role in the development of the village.

Much of the castle in La Couvertoirade and the ramparts and towers of the fortified village, still exist in very good condition, and it is one of the finest medieval fortified villages that can be found in France.

The castle was constructed by the templar knights at the end of the 12th century, while the Saint-Christophe church dates from the 14th century and the Knights of Saint John. Take a look at the cemetery - cut in two by the subsequent fortifications, part inside the walls and part outside.

The remainder of the village and the fortifications were then added a few decades later. The walk around the top of the ramparts is unmissable for the views it provides.

One particular feature you will see is the number of houses that have an external stone staircase leading to the first floor, originally used for habitation, while the ground floor was kept for livestock.

Ideally to really get a feel for the village in days gone by, try and visit early morning or outside the summer peak months - La Couvertoirade is very popular with visitors!

There is a very good view from the watchtower across the countryside and nearby villages.