A Brief History of Rodez
Man’s presence in the Avéyron dates back to hunters and cave dwellers more than 12,000 years ago. Over the centuries, the area has been ruled alternately by Barbarians, Visigoths, Moors, Vikings and English.
A major piece of the area’s historic fabric was woven by the Knights Templar, a militant religious sect established for the Crusades. The group not only set up camp in Larzac, but they also worked with locals to establish an agricultural economy that holds strong to this day. The group was arrested for heresy in 1312, and all were put to death. Afterwards, the group’s assets were handed over to the Knights Hospitalier. The fortification of Templar sites in this area was actually undertaken by the Hospitaliers. The history of the Templars is steeped in rumor and intrigue.
The area is a mix of steep mountains and undulating valleys. The highest point is the summit of Mailhebiau, about 1,300 feet high. The department’s namesake river, Avéyron, winds its way through the area. There are also several lakes and streams.
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