What is "lauzerte"

Lauzerte is a commune in the Tarn-et-Garonne department in the Midi-Pyrénées region in southern France.

Etymology of the name: Two interpretations include the possible Latin root of “Villaserta” and more likely, the Gallic root, “lauzes”, flat stones used as paving or roofing, and “erta” from the local Occitan dialect, meaning hill, thus Hill of Stones. The fact that the barbican was exploited as a quarry supports this derivation.

A medieval bastide perched above the valleys and hills of the area known as the Quercy Blanc, Lauzerte is one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France, a distinction granted to only 155 villages in the country. Founded in the 12th century by the Count of Toulouse, the village is located on the routes of the Santiago de Compostella. Lauzerte is described by its tourism agency as "a nature stop for family excursions and weekends exploring the rich past and present of the South West: our heritage and architecture, our leisure activities and festivities."