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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The ramparts of La Couvertoirade, located in the department of Aveyron in Occitanie region, originally date from the 12th century, with a major reconstruction in the 15th century. Their history is linked to the religious-military orders: the Templars, who received the Larzac in 1158 by donation from Raymond Bérenger, Count of Barcelona and King of Aragon, then the Hospitallers, who succeeded them after 1312. These walls, 12 meters high and 420 meters long, were reinforced between 1439 and 1445 under the direction of Deodat d'Alaus, master mason, to protect the town from the plunders of the "Routiers" in the 14th century.

In the 16th century, the ramparts played a defensive role during the wars of religion. In 1562, they resisted an attempt by the Huguenots, but were briefly captured in 1566 by Protestant captain Sausset before being taken over by Bishop Claude Briconnet de Lodève. Their current polygonal structure, flanked by square towers at entrances and round corners, reflects these periods of conflict. A round road always surmounts the enclosure, pierced by archères-canonniers, testifying to successive military adaptations.

Ranked historic monuments since 6 April 1895, the ramparts include two fortified gates and portions of courtine belonging to the commune. Their remarkable state of conservation makes it possible to appreciate today their original function: to protect the village and its inhabitants, as in 1702, when fear of the Camisards caused the population to restore the doors. Although never attacked after this date, the site retains a major heritage value, illustrating the medieval and modern history of Larzac.

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