Laval-du-Tarn

Laval -du -Tarn ( Occitan: La Val de Tarn ) is a southern French village with 107 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the Lozere department in the Languedoc- Roussillon region.

Location

Laval -du -Tarn lies at about 840 meters above sea level. inst the territory of the Causse de Sauveterre in the southern Massif Central in the Cévennes region in the historical landscape of Gevaudan. The nearest major town is about 33 km ( driving distance ) northeast Mende.

Demographics

The population increased in the 19th century by 335 to 550 people. As a result of the increasing elimination of jobs through the mechanization of agriculture, the population declined in the 20th century continuously to the current low.

Economy

Traditionally, agriculture and sheep farming here in the first place plays the most important role in the economic life of the community. Since the 1960s and 1970s, tourism has been added in the form of rental cottages ( gîtes ) as a source of income.

History

Like the many - but mostly destroyed by natural forces - prove megalithic tombs ( dolmen ), the area was inhabited in the Neolithic period. Romans and Franks did not care about the barren plains in south-eastern France, and so the place is first mentioned in a document of the year 1279; the small Romanesque church was built in the 12th century; a permanent parish, however, until the year 1308. The Hundred Years' War ( 1337-1453 ) and the Wars of Religion ( 1562-1598 ) went unnoticed by the place.

Attractions

• On the Aire des Trois- Seigneurs called Hill a relatively well-preserved megalithic tomb was discovered, which was formerly covered by a in its basic dimensions still recognizable tumulus. The building and its surroundings, which also houses the remains of a stone circle ( cromlech ) are, have been recognized in 1990 as a monument historique. Meanwhile, a footpath is signposted, which takes in some of the 18 dolmens.
• The small parish church ( Église de la Nativité -de- la -Sainte- Vierge ) is one of the few buildings of Romanesque art in the Lozere department. In the 19th century it was a new tower and was plastered.
• Outstanding building on the territory of the municipality (44 ° 20 '7 "N, 3 ° 21' 33 " O44.3352777777783.3591666666667 ) is built in the 15th century and largely faithfully restored Château de La Caze. The castle complex consists of a living area (corps de logis ), which is surrounded by differently shaped towers. The castle now serves as a luxury hotel and is classified as a monument historique since 1988.
• From about the same time a fortified manor house (44 ° 24 ' 22 " N, 3 ° 19' 40 " O44.4061111111113.3277777777778 ), which was recognized in 1998 as a monument historique comes the Domaine de Grandlac.