Discover La Cavalerie

There are several specific interests to choose from for a stay in La Cavalerie: the history of the fortified village, the rock formations typical of the Larzac, megalithic monuments, and cycling and aviation activities. These themes lead to different areas of focus—from local history and heritage to nature, cycling and air sports. If you are looking for a hotel, it helps to decide first which of these facets you want to shape your stay.

Templar Heritage and Village History

According to the village history, the fortified village was founded by the Templars in the 12th century. The Hospitallers built the fortification walls in the 15th century. The church adds another period: it was rebuilt in the 18th century and preserves elements of the earlier Romanesque Templar chapel. The foundation, walls and church construction thus point to different periods in the village’s history, not a single phase of construction. The dates provide a helpful framework for exploring the area’s cultural history: the Templar connection is evident in the foundation and chapel elements, while the walls are attributed to the Hospitallers.

Limestone Cliffs and Dolmens

Rajal del Gorps is a protected natural area in La Cavalerie. Its imposing limestone cliffs and rock formations typical of the Larzac give the landscape theme a specific local connection. Alongside the historic walls, this offers another facet of the village: not its building history, but its distinctive rocky landscape. If nature and rock formations are your main considerations when choosing a destination, you can factor this into your plans.

Two specific features are important when it comes to the megalithic monuments. The Dolmen de la Fabière is classified as a historic monument and can be reached via a walking trail from La Cavalerie. The Dolmen de Jonquet has a massive stone slab weighing almost 20 tonnes. The two sites therefore differ in the details noted: the Fabière’s protected status and walking trail are relevant, while the Jonquet is distinguished by the size of its slab. The weight gives a sense of the stone’s scale, while the walking trail describes how to visit the Fabière. If you are including dolmens in your travel plans, you can consider these different points of interest separately.

Aviation Activities and Cycling Route

There are several types of aviation activities, too. Aéro-Club Millau-Larzac offers aviation activities and private flights in La Cavalerie, including pilot training as well as introductory and trial flights. Discovery flights are conducted with a pilot approved by the DGAC; appointments are available on request. Accel’Air Parachutisme offers tandem skydives from Millau-Larzac airfield, which is located between La Cavalerie and L’Hospitalet-du-Larzac. Check bookings and operating dates before your trip. Les Ailes du Viaduc offers sightseeing flights over the Grands Causses region in three-axis ultralight aircraft and gyrocopters; flights are available by reservation. This distinguishes pilot training and trial flights from tandem skydives and sightseeing flights.

The Pays Templier et Hospitalier cycling route connects four Templar and Hospitaller buildings between the Larzac and the valleys; these include the fortification walls of La Cavalerie. The village’s history is thus also part of a named cycling route connecting four historic buildings. If cycling is your main focus, check the current conditions on the route before setting out, as they can change.

Discover more destinations: Belmont-Sur-Rance, Cornus, Lacalm, Laissac, Villeneuve, Naucelle, Crespin, Brasc

For the broader travel overview: Aveyron.