Hérault in the south of France
The cottages “A l’ombre d’un olivier” are ideally situated for visiting l’Hérault in the south of France. L’Hérault is a varied region, between sea, Cévennes and garrigue. You have to visit the remarkable medieval villages with their old stones. Many natural sites are so wonderful. But if you prefer lazing in the sandy beaches, there are a lot of different places to enjoy. Culture is omnipresent thanks to numerous museums, historic sites, medieval villages and numerous castles. Wine tourism is also very present and combines wine tastings, walks and visits to magnificent wineries.
Walks in natural sites not to be missed
The Pic St Loup
It peaks at 658 meters. Its breathtaking panorama: view on the Cevennes to the northwest, on the plain of Nîmes to the east, on Mont Ventoux, the Alpilles, the Luberon. To the south it is the Mediterranean sea, the Camargue and to the southwest, Mont Canigou and the Corbières. So, there is an overview of the entire region and beyond.
The Hérault canyon
This canyon is very steep and they narrow more and more until Pont du Diable and St Guilhem le Désert, medieval village on the road to St Jacques de Compostelle. You can practice canoe and have a picnic on the banks of this canyon.
Mourèze circus
A wonderful landscape, unusual, you must see it. At the same time, very near, you can also visit Salagou lake.
Salagou lake
The earth around the lake is red, it is so strange and beautiful. you can practice various nautical activities, go around by bikes.
Navacelle circus
This site is an impressive geological curiosity. From the viewpoints, you can see a 300-meter deep canyon. At the bottom, discover a waterfall in which you will appreciate to swim.
Camargue
The little Camargue begins at the east of Hérault. There you can discover its traditions and its fauna (flamingos) in Carnon, Palavas, La Grande Motte).
Thau lake
It is the largest lake in Languedoc, an inland sea. You will find shellfish farms and you can taste oysters and mussels at the producers places around its banks.
Clamouse caves (St Jean de Fos)
They are in Hérault canyon et are famous because of their very important concretions.
Demoiselles caves
It used to be called the fairy cave. Its funicular was the first in europe open to the public. The cathedral hall is impressive with its 52 meters high, 120 meters long and 48 meters wide.
Clamouze cave
Spéléopark, escape game in an exceptional environment.
Architectural works and remarkable places
The Castries aqueduct
It was built for a private person. It measures 6822 meters long and is built with Castries stones. It is classified as an historic monument.
Fontséranes locks
These 8 locks are a major work of the Canal du Midi. They are lacated in Béziers.
Archeological site of Ambrussum (Viletelle)
Here, you will find the testimony of the Gaul conquest by the Romans and the vestiges of their way of life.
The St Adrien’s garden (Servian)
Classified as a “remarkable garden” by the Cultural ministry.
Valmagne abbey (Villeveyrac)
Cistercian abbey classified as an historic monument, in Villeveyrac village, near Mèze and the Thau lake.
Maguelone Cathedral
Languedoc romanesc art. It is located on a peninsula.
The buddhist temple of Lodève Lerab Ling
It is one of the main study center and practical of Tibetan Buddhism in Europe. It is an atypical and unusual place.
Sète
It is Georges Brassens city. He is buried in his famous cemetery.This little town is full of historical riches. It is a small Venice because it is crossed by navigable canals.
Castries castle
It is the “little Versailles”of Languedoc with a french garden designed by Le Nôtre. It dates from the 17th century.
Montpellier
Fabre museum in Montpellier
It is located in teh Massilian mansion (18TH century)
Galileo Planetarium of Montpellier
Come and understand the sky and space in this place intended for astronomy.
Domaine d’O garden in Montpellier
23 hectares of french garden with castle, fountains and pond. Listed as an historic monument.
St Pierre cathedral of Montpellier
Its adjoins the medicine faculty. Urbain V wanted to build this church and it became a Cathedral in 1364.
Mare nostrum aquarium
Located in the Odysseum area, in Montpellier.marine diversityand one of he largest indoor pools in France.
Carré Ste Anne in Montpellier
Contemporary Art center
Amazonian greenhouse and Montpellier zoo
The zoo is free. The forest is not free and reproduces the Amazon forest characteristics.
The beaches
Carnon, Palavas, La grande Motte, Le Grau du Roi, l’Espiguette, beach of Villeneuve les Maguelone.
The fun sites
Cap d’Agde Aquarium
Sharks, turtles, groupers, jellyfishes and other species await for you.
Cap d’Agde Aqualand
Open from june until september.
Zoo and park of Val d’Hérault (St Thibery)
A large number of birds species. You can enter aviaries or pens to feed some animals.
Wine tourism
In the wine road, you will discover the wines of Pic St Loup, sea wines, wines from the heart of Herault, the Grès of Montpellier, the vineyards of the Canal du Midi.
Remarkables villages
Minerve
Medieval cathar town, between scubland, vineyards and olive groves. Village recognized for its wines.
St Guilhem le désert
Medieval village in an exceptional nature, on the road to St Jacques de Compostelle.
Mourèze
Name due to the rock with vertical walls which dominates the village. The alleys are so beautiful.But, what made the village famous, however, is the Mourèze circus which the beauty is incredible.
Olargues
Medieval village built on a rocky mound, with remarkable architecture.
Laroque
Characterful, medieval, fortified village, at the exit of the Hérault canyon. Restaurants overlook the Hérault river and its waterfall. You can also picnic on the banks of the river.
Pézenas
City of art and history with many buildings classified as historic monuments. Resort of Moliere and his theater.
St Martin de Londres
Medieval village near the Pic St Loup et les gîtes “A l’ombre d’un olivier”. You have to visit Its picturesques alleys and its 11th century church but above all, stop by the fountain to cool off under the centuries-old plane trees.
Roquebrun
Village who overlooks the Orb river.
Les Matelles
North of Montpellier, in the Pic St Loup area, 10 minutes from the cottages “A l’ombre d’un olivier”. It is a medieval village crossed by the river: Le LIrou. It is a nice walk trough narrow alleys with vaulted passages that transport us in the middle ages.
Fraisse sur Agout
In the heart of the High regional Natural Languedoc park. Traditional stones houses and alleys paved with shale.
St Jean de Buèges
Medieval village with narrow streets that go up to the ramparts of the “Très Castel”, Baulx castle. The Garrel is a small stream which crosses the village: it supplies the fountains.
