La Couvertoirade (French pronunciation: [la kuvɛʁtwaʁad]; Occitan: La Cobertoirada) is a commune in the southern French department of Aveyron.

La Couvertoirade
A general view of La Couvertoirade
A general view of La Couvertoirade
Location of La Couvertoirade
Map
La Couvertoirade is located in France
La Couvertoirade
La Couvertoirade
La Couvertoirade is located in Occitanie
La Couvertoirade
La Couvertoirade
Coordinates: 43°54′50″N 3°19′02″E / 43.9139°N 3.3172°E / 43.9139; 3.3172
CountryFrance
RegionOccitania
DepartmentAveyron
ArrondissementMillau
CantonCausses-Rougiers
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Maryse Roux[1]
Area
1
61.91 km2 (23.90 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
189
 • Density3.1/km2 (7.9/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
12082 /12230
Elevation640–900 m (2,100–2,950 ft)
(avg. 800 m or 2,600 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Geography

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La Couvertoirade is located on the Larzac plateau.

History and sites of interest

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This well-preserved fortified town was owned by the Knights Templar, under orders from the Commandery of Sainte-Eulalie, from the twelfth century. The Templars built the fortress there during the 12th and 13th centuries; its two upper floors have since been removed. Following their dissolution in 1312, the Templars' property in the causses was taken by the Knights of St John of Jerusalem who were responsible for building the curtain wall at La Couvertoirade between 1439 and 1450.

Like other Larzac villages, the population fell rapidly in the 19th century, to as few as 362 by 1880. Today, it is largely inhabited by craftsmen working with enamel, pottery, weaving and similar crafts. It belongs to the association known as Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (the most beautiful villages of France).

Population

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
196298—    
1968120+22.4%
1975107−10.8%
1982134+25.2%
1990148+10.4%
1999153+3.4%
2008179+17.0%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 9 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
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