LARZAC

The 'Causse du 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.

Contents

History

Sights

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. French syndicalist and peasant activist José Bové moved there during this period in support of the protests. Communards from the nearby Community of the Ark, led by the pacifist Lanza del Vasto, were also very active in opposition to the camp. The workers of the occupied and self-managed Lip factory also took part to the movement (photos).
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] José Bové currently resides in Larzac - he secured nearly 500,000 votes in the 2007 presidential elections.

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], part of the Saint-Jean-et-Saint-Paul commune

★ Sainte-Eulalie-de-Cernon

★ Viala-du-Pas-de-Jaux