The ramparts of Larzac – the Templar/Hospitaller trail
Larzac, a land of legends and knights, is a treasure trove: for almost a thousand years, the Templars, Hospitallers and Cistercians have left their mark on this unusual region.
In the 15th century, several villages built fortifications to protect themselves against looters, invaders and other perils. The result is a circuit of exceptional villages to discover on your own, as a couple, with family or friends.
At the heart of the Grands Causses Regional Nature Park, the Templar and Hospitaller site circuit is part of the UNESCO classification for “living landscapes of Mediterranean agropastoralism”.
La Cavalerie – Fortified village
Leave the road behind for a complete change of scenery. The perfectly restored 15th-century ramparts protect many secrets, including a surprising church, guardian of the Templar heritage. A stroll along the ramparts will inspire you to discover the history of the religious and military orders of the Middle Ages.
Don’t miss the “Coins of the Crusades” exhibition, the only one of its kind in France.
La Couvertoirade – Most beautiful village in France
A little medieval gem nestling in the heart of the Larzac, La Couvertoirade is the perfect place to immerse yourself in history.
Within the admirably preserved ramparts of this most beautiful village in France, the town houses and cobbled streets lined with shops will leave you breathless.
There are also splendid views over the Larzac countryside from the village.
Finally, in season, you can take advantage of the many events on offer: discovery of old trades, medieval or pastoral festivals, botanical initiations, old games, local markets… there’s something for all tastes and all ages.
Saint-Jean d’Alcas – A jewel of Cistercian architecture
This “ladies’ fort” offers you an astonishing visit where history takes its source in the Cistercian lineage of Sylvanès Abbey. You’ll be transported out of time as you wander through its narrow streets and discover its upper sections: the abbess’s house, the caussenarde refuge room and its covered walkway offering a panoramic view of Larzac, the land of the knights.
Sainte-Eulalie-de-Cernon – The Commandery, capital of Larzac
The Knights Templar arrived on Larzac in the 12th century and built their first monument, the Commanderie, in Sainte-Eulalie-de-Cernon. Today, it stands in the heart of the medieval village that became the richest in the south of France. Take a tour and discover the life of these soldier monks at their peak.
A new feature is an immersive cinema, a play on sound and light, projected onto 2 screens for a stunning 3D effect.
Tour du Viala-du-Pas-de-Jaux – The Larzac lighthouse
Built by the Knights Hospitallers in the 15th century, this attic tower offered the village’s inhabitants refuge in times of war. Restoration work carried out by the owner’s association has given the tower back its wartime appearance, with its five storeys, its machicolated battlements and its adjoining buildings, the Logis des Chevaliers and the Grange.
From the terrace, the immensity of Larzac can be seen as far as the eye can see.
