La Couvertoirade Favorite Tips by iandsmith

Exit the Knights Templar

Favorite thing: La Couvertoirade was one crucial point in the Templar system and Larzac, with its grain plantations on the south of the plateau, constituted one of the great properties, to the extent that it was baptised "la plaine du temple" (the temple plain).
The name "Templar" comes from the temple in Jerusalem that they originally undertook to defend.
The castle was built in 1249 by the Templars and for seven centuries Couvertoirade would shelter them and their "heirs", the Hospitaliers , who took possession of Templar property after 1312.
That year signalled the abolition of the Templar Order, following the giant plot hatched against it by King Philippe-le-Bel (Phillip IV). He owed them money and, with support from a weak Catholic Church, he got rid of their leaders and thus the movement disbanded.

Fondest memory: Today's La Couvertoirade has been much (and well) restored so that you can get a good idea of what dwellings were like in those days.
You might well notice in all of the photos the outside stairs which is how people got from one floor to the other rather than further cramp the rooms inside.

Background

Favorite thing: At the end of the 12th century, the Templar Commander of Saint Eulalie-de-Cernon ordered the construction of a castle.
Later, in the 14th century, the Knights of Saint John built the church. In the following century, they erected the fortified enclosure, whose towers and walls are still intact today.
However, the Knights eventually ended up at their base in Malta and so any knightly presence was gone.

Fondest memory: These days you can walk in free of charge and you won't be alone. It's popular with tourists, I suspect for that very reason.
However, should you wish to walk the ramparts, that will cost you.