Hérault
    Minerve / Hérault

    Surrounded by deep gorges cut where the Brian and Cesse meet and situated at the very end of a limestone plateau, Minerve is a stony village in the heart of the Languedoc hinterland. It was an old Cathar bastion that was destroyed by Simon de Montfort in 1210 and the village has a column in memory of a stake at which 140 Cathars were burnt at that time. Minerve is also famous for its wine that has been produced here by local winegrowers for centuries

    Themes

    • Castles and ramparts : The remains of the fortress (Candéla : eight-sided tower), old rampart walk
    • Unusual sights : The underground passageway beneath a limestone vault leading to the postern, column in memory of a Cathar stake
    • Panoramas : View of the gorges from the rampart walk
    • Wine : AOC Minervois wines

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    Olargues / Hérault

    Olargues is torn between the South of France and the Massif Central, but that’s no problem because it’s got a little bit of both ! Chestnut and cherry trees rub shoulders with vines and olive trees and the sun tries to heat up the chilly waters of the River Jaur. At the foot of the Caroux Mountains, the old fortified village attracts visitors not only because of its paved streets and covered passageways but also because it is ideally located for outdoor activities.

    Themes

    • By the waterside : River Jaur
    • Castles and ramparts : Remains of the ramparts, keep of the old castle which is now the church tower
    • Panoramas : Panoramic view from the church tower
    • Wine : AOC wines from Berlou and Roquebrun (Saint-Chinian)

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    • Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert Ruelle Abbaye
    Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert / Hérault

    Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is a stopping place on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela ; its church is a gem of Romanesque art of the Languedoc. The village is situated in a wild spot at the entrance to the Gorges du Verdus and the cirque de l’Infernet. The narrow streets spread out from Place de la Liberté square and its imposing 150-year-old plane tree and as visitors stroll around they can still admire Renaissance mullioned windows, twin-arched openings and gothic lintels.

    Themes

    • Abbeys and churches : Gellone Abbey (11C church)
    • By the waterside : The Gorges du Verdus

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