La Couvertoirade combines medieval heritage with hikes that vary considerably in length. The GR 71 follows a 17-kilometre route to the village; the GR® 71C is an 83-kilometre circular route that starts here. The village is also home to the ramparts, the Hospitaller church and the Château Templier. When planning a stay, you can choose between a hike to the Cité, a longer tour and exploring the village.
Hiking: 17 kilometres to the village or a longer route
The GR 71 runs from Le Caylar via Le Cros to La Couvertoirade. The hike is classed as easy, covers 170 metres of elevation gain and takes between 4 hours 30 minutes and 5 hours 30 minutes. It is therefore a several-hour activity, not a short addition to a stroll around the village. The final section follows the hillside: from there, you can enjoy a view of the Templar Cité before the route follows the ramparts into the medieval village. Check the route details and trail conditions before setting out.
The GR® 71C is on a different scale: this 83-kilometre route passes through the Parc Naturel Régional des Grands Causses and starts in La Couvertoirade. The two hiking descriptions answer different planning questions: should the route lead to the village, or should it start here as a longer circular tour? The 17 and 83 kilometres describe different hikes; they are not presented as consecutive sections.
Even without taking the longer route, the village offers its own views of the Cité. A walk along the ramparts provides panoramic views of the medieval village and its most important monuments. If you would like to include this walk in your visit, check access arrangements in advance. This way, you can plan the hike and sightseeing as separate activities, without implying a particular order.
Templars and Hospitallers in the Cité
The Templar Knights and, later, the Hospitallers shaped the medieval Cité’s historical heritage. The Hospitallers built the church in La Couvertoirade. The Château Templier de la Couvertoirade was built at the end of the 12th century and is classified as a historic monument. It is considered the only castle built by the Templar Knights in France. These connections help distinguish the church, castle and Cité as different parts of the village, rather than presenting them as a single attraction.
The Moulin du Rédounel, built in the 17th century, stands on the heights of La Couvertoirade. From there, views extend across the medieval Cité and the landscapes of the Causse du Larzac. During Les Enfarinades, the mill’s sails may turn again; flour is made, and traditional crafts are brought to life for visitors. This demonstration is part of the festival. If you would like to include it in your plans, check the current programme.
The Maison de la Scipione is the starting point for a visit and introduces the village’s history through films and exhibitions. It offers an insight into local history, while the ramparts look out over the village and its monuments. Those who choose to hike the GR 71 also get a view of the Templar Cité on the final section before following the ramparts into the village. The route and a walk along the ramparts are two separate options: check current visitor access for the rampart walk.
Discover more destinations: Versols-Et-Lapeyre, Villeneuve, Cabanès, Muret-Le-Château, Lunac, Almont-Les-Junies, Saint-Laurent-de-Lévézou, Saint-Amans-Des-Cots.
For the regional travel overview: Aveyron.
