The Knights Templar fortified village of La Couvertoirade, on the Larzac Plateau, near the Millau Viaduct, Aveyron.
A relatively short drive (30 minutes, 38kms) from the Millau Viaduct bridge, by Norman Foster - the tallest bridge in the world (37 meters shorter than the Empire State Building), by taking exit 48 (signposted to Le Vigan, Cornus, Alzon), one reaches the Knights Templar Castle and fortified village of La Courvertoirade - one of the most beautiful villages in France, that was built in the 12th and 13th centuries.
La Couvertoirade was at an important site in the Templar organization and Larzac, with its fields creating cereal and grain on the plateau, constituted one of its most important properties, known as "la plaine du temple" (the temple plain). The castle was built in 1249 by the Templars and for seven centuries La Couvertoirade would shelter the Knight Templars and later the Hospitaliers, who took over Templar property after 1312.
That year signalled the abolition of the Templar Order, after a plot manipulated by King Philippe-le-Bel.
Nowadays the village has become a mecca for artists, artisans creating everything - pottery, painting, jewellery, etc. At times it seems like a veritable Lourdes with a shop here and there milking the tourist at every bend. However there is magic and beauty amongst the money makers; and the village is well worth exploring.
| HOLIDAY RENTALS FOR EXPLORING THE SOUTH OF FRANCE |
2011 South France
Houses, villas, and gites property rentals |
Prices, Seasons, are approximate and are shown as a guide for a weekly rental (usually).
For correct information check individual listings |
Low
Season |
Mid
Season |
High
Season |
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Poussines,
Pepieux | Email
inquiry |
Sleeps 10. Swimming
Pool. Wifi Internet. 4 bedrooms all with ensuite bathrooms. Secure parking. Private. Nr
Carcassonne |
£820
$1,340
€900 |
£955
$1,565
€1,050 |
£1,770
$2,910
€1,950 |
 |
Albi
a la mode
Albi near Toulouse | Email
inquiry |
Sleeps
4. Superb
Rose Garden Terrace. Short walk to restaurants, galleries,
shops, and Toulouse Lautrec Museum. Stylish
comfortable apartment. In Albi |
£360
$600
€400 |
£360
$600
€400 |
£450
$750
€500 |
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Gabachou,
Bram
near Carcassonne | Email
inquiry |
2 Gites.
Sleeps 2 & 4. Swimming Pool. On Canal du
Midi, Garden. Near Carcassonne, Castelnaudary. Price shown is for Gite for 2 persons. |
£345
$495
€370 |
£385
$550
€415 |
£595
$850
€640 |
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Aire
d'Aigle
Near Carcassonne | Email
inquiry |
Sleeps
12. Swimming Pool. Tennis
Court. Hilltop with stunning views. Exclusive
with private estate. Near Carcassonne |
£1,000
$1,665
€1,105 |
£1,500
$2,500
€1,655 |
£2,450
$4,080
€2,705 |
 |
La
Recampado, near
Aix en Provence |
Sleeps
4-7. Large swimming Pool. Garden. Wireless Internet. Near Aix
en Provence, Cabries, Marseilles |
£635
$1,040
€700 |
£635
$1,040
€700 |
£860
$1,415
€950 |
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Arbres
en Soleil
Vaucluse, Provence | Email
inquiry |
Sleeps 8. Swimming pool, Jacuzzi, 5000m2 Garden. Walled and private - in woodland
setting with stunning views. Near Carpentras, Vaucluse, Provence |
£1,655
$ 2,645
€ 1,840 |
£1,655
$ 2,645
€ 1,840 |
£2,170
$ 3,475
€ 2,415 |
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St
Joseph
near Beziers, Capestang |
Sleeps 2. Terrace Garden Paradise. Vineyards
all around. 15 mins Beziers, Canal
du Midi. 5 mins restaurant. |
£330
$445
€350 |
£330
$445
€350 |
£375
$510
€400 |
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Le
Pin Sucré
nr Capestang |
Sleeps 8 Large
swimming pool. Wifi internet. Garden. Walk to Canal du Midi restaurant. |
£690
$1,020
€800 |
£690
$1,020
€800 |
£1,120
$1,655
€1,300 |
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Maison
Pezenas
Pezenas |
Sleeps 2-4. WIFI and Internet
TV. Near antique shops, galleries, restaurants
- in Pezenas |
£385
$645
€430 |
£425
$705
€470 |
£490
$820
€545 |
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Paradis Secret de Saint Donat
Near Valence, Drome |
Sleeps 8. Swimming pool, Tennis court, 1 hectare Garden. In Saint Donat sur l'herbasse, near Hauterives (Palais Ideal), Valence, Lyon, Skiing |
£725
$ 1,150
€ 950 |
£725
$ 1,150
€ 950 |
£1,600
$ 2,380
€ 1,950 |
Visit and explore the Canal du Midi
or
Languedoc: Minervois in the Autumn
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