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For centuries, the time has left vestiges of the Knights Templar and Hospitaller's life. The human being has forged Larzac and populated its valleys. In family, visit castles and fortified cities! Climb ramparts built by the Knights Templars and Hospitallers ! Finally, admire the numerous chapels and romanic churches in Aveyron.

Enter the world of the Templars and Hospitallers...

The Templars and Hospitallers

The need to accomodate ad look after pilgrims visiting Christ's tomb at Jerusalem letd to the creation of the Order of the Hospitallers in 1113 and of the Templars in around 1120. When the Templars established themselves on the Larzac in the middle of the 12th century, the plateau belong to a multitude of landowners, including the Counts of Rodez and several abbeys, some of them distant.

Following a number of major donations as early as the end of the 12th century, the commandery of Sainte-Eulalie de Cernon took control of the Larzac plateau. For 150 years, the Knights Templar grouped together the sparse population around settlements like La Cavalerie and La Couvertoirade. In 1312, when the Order of the Temple was abolished by by the Pope, all its possessions were handed over to the Knights of Saint-Jean of Jerusalem. Owning to the climate of insecurity which reigned at the time of the Hundred Years War (1338-1453), the Hospitallers fortified the villages. However, despite these fortifications, the settlements were taken by the Huguenots in the 16th century. In the next century, a period of prosperity led to the construction of the fine houses that may still be seen  today.

The Templars and the Hospitallers marked the Departement of the Aveyron with their presence ad left a lasting impression on the Larzac. La Cavalerie, La Couvertoirade, Sainte-Eulalie de Cernon and Le Viala du Pas de Jaux are majestic and athentic witnesses to this presence. The Fort of Saint-Jean d'Alcas, in all its Cistercian rigour, is associated with them.

The Conservatoire Larzac Templier Hospitalier

Since 1997, The Conservatoire Larzac Templier Hospitalier has been pursuing a program of tourist development and improvments in the 5 sites.

• By proposing visits with or without a guide, or with audio-guides in several languages.

• For families: with the game "Hugh", a series of cartoons whose hero "Hugh, knight of the Larzac" leads children into various adventure, and with the children's day during the summer season.

• For walkers and lovers of open space and flora: with the "Tour of the Larzac of the Templars and Hospitallers" walking guide or, each spring, with the Commander's Walk, a convivial day-long walk.

• For schools with medieval classes.
• For everyone: every summer, historical reconstitutions are oranised at each of the sites.
• For the most adventurous: Code LTH 007, 48 hours to find the key to the puzzle and become part of history! For the first time, culture, outdoor sports and new technology professionals have collaborated to offer a totally new concept in exploration...

Upload the pdf "Les remparts du Larzac" (english)

Castles, religious monuments

Do not hesitate to make a bend in the order to admire with a sure emotion the most beautiful romanic churches among which one the church of Saint Xist ( Le Clapier ) or the church of Saint Peter d'Alzobre ( Sainte Eulalie de Cernon ) .