Hérault hidden gems… little known beauties
The Hérault in southern France is a lesser-known part of France – so we have decided to share some of its secrets with you.
A hugely diverse department, Hérault boasts a spectacular 100km of coastline, with wide and sandy beaches. There are charming harbour towns like Sète and Marseillan and touristic resorts like Cap d’Agde. For city lovers there is vibrant Montpellier and for those who enjoy the wilderness there are stunning natural parks like the Cévennes, and the region park of the Haut-Languedoc.
Much of this department is undiscovered and has a ‘secret’ feel that makes it even more exciting. Our agents have picked for their favourite ‘hidden gems’ and some beautiful properties to go with them.
First stop: Béziers. When you think of historical destinations in France, Beziers probably isn’t the first place you think of but Béziers is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in France, having been lived in since 575 BCE. There are many sites that you can still visit today like the Vieux Pont, the Medieval Citadel, or the remains of the Roman Arena. It’s also right next to the sea and within 15minutes of the well kept secret beaches of Valras, Vendres and Serignan.
Second stop: the Natural Park of the Haut-Languedoc, with its lakes, waterfalls and the Orb valley. The Natural park, and especially the villages dotted around the D908 (a country road that runs along the coast) has ideal access to the sea and the mountains. Amongst the beautiful villages that you can visit along the D908: Olargues, Mons la Trivalle, Poujols, or Saint-Martin-de-l’Arcon.
Third stop: Clermont l’Hérault, and the area around the lac du Salagou, perfectly located near the well known Montpellier and Pézenas. Clermont L’Hérault is a small town surrounded by hills and is a popular tourist spot. Overlooking the town are the ruins of the Chateau of Guilhem – a must-see! In the old part, narrow streets and squares are reminiscent of Medieval times. The bustling town is surrounded by vines and olive groves. Close to the town of Clermont L’Herault, the Lake Salagou is a beautiful 750-hectare lake, which has become a protected site of natural beauty.
And last, but not least: the village of Mourèze which lies at the heart of a 170-million-year-old dolomite cirque. These fascinating rock formations caused by years of erosion create a bizarre landscape through which you can explore the numerous marked trails. The village itself is very pretty, and with its close proximity to the lake, is a sought-after property destination! Why not come and see for yourselves?
