Larzac
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- Larzac is also a commune in Dordogne.
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Larzac is a limestone karst plateau in the south of the Massif Central, France. It is an agricultural area, where sheep are bred to produce milk for Roquefort cheese.
History
In October 1970, National Defense Minister Michel Debré decided, without consulting the local population, to turn a military camp of 30 km² outside the village of La Cavalerie in Aveyron into a much larger (170 km²) and more strategic military base. Local farmers objected and decided to fight against the project, through actions such as occupation of empty farms purchased by the Army in anticipation of the expansion. José Bové moved there during this period in support of the protests. Following ten years of nonviolent resistance, the plan was cancelled by president François Mitterrand after his election in 1981.
Because of its history it was chosen as the site of a massive meeting against the World Trade Organization which took place in August 2003. [1] (http://www.monde-solidaire.org/larzac-2003/uk/)
Sights
Five medieval fortified villages, related to the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller. are located on the Larzac plateau:
- La Cavalerie
- La Couvertoirade
- Saint-Jean-d'Alcas [2] (http://www.aveyron.com/english/tourism/templar-alcas.html), part of the Saint-Jean-et-Saint-Paul commune
- Sainte-Eulalie-de-Cernon
- Viala-du-Pas-de-Jaux
External link
- Conservatoire Larzac Templier et Hospitalier (http://www.conservatoire-larzac.fr/uk/index.php)