Templar and Hospitaller sites in Aveyron

When the Templars settled on Larzac in the middle of the 12th century, they founded the Commanderie de Sainte-Eulalie de Cernon and extended their jurisdiction as far as la Couvertoirade, La Cavalerie and le Viala du Pas de Jaux. For 150 years, they brought the local populations of these villages together and developed the agro-pastoral vocation of the entire region. When the Templar order was suppressed by the Pope in 1312, all their worldly goods were transferred to the Knights Hospitaller of St John of Jerusalem.. It was the Hospitallers who were responsible for the fortification of the sites, notably the Commanderie de Sainte-Eulalie, so important in the climate of insecurity which reigned during the 100 years war.

The 5 Templar and Hospitaller sites of the Aveyron are :

1. La Cavalerie
2. La Couvertoirade
3. Saint-Jean d'Alcas
4. Sainte-Eulalie de Cernon
5. Le Viala du Pas de Jaux
   
   

If the Hospitaller village still exists today, it is not immediately obvious at first glance. The visitor will discover the richness of the site within the fortified interior which is reached through an imposing gateway, 15th century houses, 17th century mansions, astonishing 18th century church in which the vestiges of the original Templar church have been piously preserved.

The medieval village of la Couvertoirade reflects the military might of the Templar order and the everyday life of the Hospitallers. Exceptionally well preserved, the village of la Couvertoirade is a veritable miniature of a medieval town.

The very beautiful fortified village of Saint-Jean d'Alcas is surprising in its harmonious regularity. It is framed by four towers enclosing two parallel streets bordered with almost identical houses. The village once belonged to the Cistercian monks at Nonenque.

Sainte-Eulalie is a well preserved medieval commandery and boasts a Templar church, which opens out onto a charming village square, adorned with a fountain. The commandery itself and the narrow streets are surrounded by the fortified ramparts and the towers built by the Hospitallers.

A vivid illustration of the agro-pastoral vocation of the plateau du Larzac, la Tour du Viala du Pas de Jaux was built in the 15th century, adjacent to former buildings constructed by the Hospitallers to provide shelter and safety for the local population, their goods and their animals. It is currently undergoing major restoration work as part of the rehabilitation of the rich heritage.