Visiting La Couvertoirade in France - a fortified knightly town

Writer: Helena Bergström

We highly recommend visiting La Couvertoirade in France, if you are driving in the neighbourhood. This well-preserved fortified town was once owned by the Knights Templar, and is now a popular destination filled with charming little restaurants and shops. Coming here is like stepping straight into the Middle Ages!

La Couvertoirade in France

Some destinations we plan far in advance, and others reveal themselves along the way. La Couvertoirade belongs to the latter. We saw a sign and got curious. And we did not regret it! This town is a place well worth a visit!

La Couvertoirade is located in the department of Aveyron in southern France, about 75 kilometres northwest of the city of Montpellier.

La Couvertoirade - a town owned by the Knights Templar

From the 12th century onwards, La Couvertoirade was owned by the Knights Templar, and the fortress was built in the 12th and 13th centuries. Originally, the fortress had two additional floors, which were later removed.

After the dissolution of the Knights Templar in 1312, the property was taken over by the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, who built the curtain wall between 1439 and 1450.

During the 19th century, the population declined rapidly, and today only a few people live here, including craftsmen according to some sources. But even though there are few inhabitants in this small village, it feels very much alive. Many visitors find their way here, and there are plenty of restaurants, cafés and shops.

To visit La Couvertoirade

When you go to visit La Couvertoirade, you will be greeted by a large area of car parks, with signs for cars, motorhomes and buses. The car park fee, which is currently 5 euros, applies to everyone and is paid at a ticket machine. It feels like money well spent, we must say, as it is the only thing you have to pay to see this beautiful place.

Once there, you walk a short distance to reach the city walls. Then you step inside - and it's like stepping straight into the Middle Ages!

In La Couvertoirade, you'll find narrow winding streets, stone houses, towers, a church and everything else you'd expect in a medieval town. Sometimes it almost feels like a set for a film - but this is real!

A short walk will also take you to the village's old mill, nicely perched on a hill.

Restaurants, cafes and shops

You'll find a surprising number of restaurants and cafés in the city, often in incredibly charming locations.

There are also many small shops selling crafts, souvenirs and other small items.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

We have some suggestions for things to see and do nearby! First of all, you don't want to miss out on experiencing the amazing Gorges du Tarn nature reserve. We can also recommend checking out Millaubron, which is the highest bridge in Europe. If you head down to the coast, you can visit, for example Sète or Palavas les Flots.