The 15 things to do in the hinterland Héraultais

Visit the hurried hinterland: what are the best things to do and see in this beautiful part of south-eastern France?

Often, when we talk about the southeast of France and the department of Hérault, we first think of its beautiful coastline. But the hurried hinterland is a real natural pepit, to be discovered absolutely. Its mild and pleasant climate all year round makes it possible to visit it in any season. This beautiful region is full of treasures to discover absolutely, especially if you love nature, the hiking or the Trail. Take the time to evade, get out of the beaten paths and take a break away from the crowd, in the heart of this region as sunny and captivating. Here is a guide to visit the hurried hinterland without failing its must-sees.

1. The Pic Saint-Loup

This 658-metre mountain in the shape of a backbone is one of the symbols of the hurried hinterland. You can reach its summit by a marked path of GR60, from Cazevieille or Saint Mathieu de Tréviers. Once there, discover the small chapel of St. Joseph, but above all a breathtaking view of the whole region!

The wines of the wine plain that it overlooks bears its name, and are among the most famous of the Languedoc-Roussillon: the Pic Saint-Loup wines.

2. Pézenas

Pézenas is a small town of character to discover absolutely if you come to visit the hurried hinterland. This former royal city has a highly preserved architectural heritage, and has been part of the City and Country of Art and History network since 2002.

Walk in the heart of these paved alleys, lined with private hotels and charming art crafts shops. We're surviving her "the city of Molière", because this is where Molière’s career and his troupe really began “The illustrious Theatre”.

3. Lake Salagou

This artificial lake offers your eyes a true palette of autumn color. Red earth, named « ruffe » , which surrounds it, gives all the peculiarity and beauty of this unique place. Canoe or paddle on the lake, hiking or mountain biking around, or simple farniente at the edge of the lake... It is up to you to make your choice to discover this beautiful place, not to be missed if you are going to visit the hinterland.

Little advice: to have the most beautiful view of Lake Salagou, towards Mount Liausson in the north or Cirque de Mourèze south.

4. The ravine of the Arcs

Not far from Saint-Martin-de-Londres, the ravine of the Arc is in fact a small 6km walk, located in the gorges of Lamalou. Very well known in the vicinity, it is also one of the most beautiful to do in the hurried hinterland, whose organ point is the natural stone ark above the river.

As the river is dried during the summer, we advise you to go there between April and June.

5. Olargues

Discover without delay this charming medieval village the most beautiful in France . It is located in the Haut Languedoc Regional Natural Park, about 1h30 by car from Montpellier. His particularity? It is attached to a rocky butt, and almost surrounded by the waters of the Jaur.

You will undoubtedly fall under the charm of its Romanesque marble bridge, its paved alleys and its medieval castle of the 12th century.

6. Cirque de Mourèze

Are you wondering what to do in the hinterland of Herault? Located close to Salagou Lake, Cirque de Mourèze is a fabulous and impressive dolomitic rock site, with strange shapes.

This place is very pleasant to discover during a hike. At its feet, the pretty little medieval village that it surrounds, Mourèze, is worth visiting.

7. Bessilles departmental park

Are you visiting the hurried hinterland? Bessilles Park is a departmental leisure base that offers several types of sports activities. Located in Montagnac, this is the ideal place to spend a day with a busy family and outdoors.

On the programme: hook, tennis, paintball, mini-golf, mountain biking or swimming pool. At the heart of a magnificent 35-hectare forest park with an ecological management plan that ensures the sustainability of the natural environment and promotes biodiversity.

8. Cirque de Navacelles

To be done in the hurried hinterland without hesitation: a hike in the circus of Navacelles. Inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Navacelles Circus is one of the most important natural sites in Occitania, and offers an incredible panorama of the region.

Located at the foot of Larzac and Cevennes , and nestled in the heart of the gorges of the Vis, this immense canyon, dug by the river, delivers a breathtaking spectacle.

9. The cave of Clamouse

Located in Saint Jean de Fos, in the Gorges de l’Hérault, the cave of Clamouse is a site not to be missed if you come to visit the hinterland Héraultais.

Classified by the Ministry of Ecology, this cave is quite exceptional, because of its richness in calcite and aragonite, very rare.

10. Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert

If there is a must-see village where you will visit the hurried hinterland, it is Saint Guilhem the Desert.

This small medieval village enclaved in the gorges of the Hérault, has one of the most beautiful abbeys in the department: the Abbey of Gellone.

11. The Gorges d’Héric

Direction Mons-La-Trivalle, in the sublime massif of Caroux, to discover this exceptional place.

A hike around this classified natural site, which can lead you to the top of the Caroux, is required. You will enjoy natural pools and waterfalls throughout the course, for a refreshing swim moment. Here, hikers, climbers and other amateurs canyoning will be at the angels.

12. La Vallée de la Buèges

Isolated, hidden between the ridges of the Séranne, the Gorges de la Vis and the Gorges de l’Hérault, the Vallée de la Buèges is a discreet to discover if you will visit the hurried hinterland.

The landscapes are sublime, the beautiful hiking trails, and the villages, such as Saint-Jean de Buèges or Pégairolles de Buèges, charming and authentic. True little paradise if you love calm, nature and hiking.

13. The cave of the Demoiselles

Near Ganges, at the foot of the Cevennes, discover the cave of the Demoiselles. This marvel is equipped with the first underground funicular in Europe. Its access is therefore very easy.

The stalagmites and stalactites are sublimated by a magnificent sound and light game, while the extraordinary « Salle de la Cathédrale » is the highlight of the visit. A great activity to do in the hinterland of Herault, with family.

14. Ambrussum Archaeological Site

A must-have archaeological site of the Hérault, 30 minutes from Montpellier, Ambrussum is a magnificent vestige of the Roman era. This is the oldest Roman road in Gaul, which once linked Rome to Cadiz. Today it is available free of charge, and offers a 2.3km course on which you can admire the Via Domitia and its road station, the Ambroix Bridge or the Gaulish Oppidum.

A museum (extra charge) is also present on the site. He retraces the whole story of Ambrussum and exposes some objects found during archaeological excavations.

15. The Gorges de L’Hérault and the Pont du Diable

The Gorges de l’Hérault, whose river descends directly from the Cevennes, are classified Grand Site de France. Spectaculars, they offer many activities to do in the hurried hinterland: canoeing, canyoning, hiking, or climbing.

The gorges lead to the bridge of the Devil, a magnificent medieval vestige, now classified as a world heritage by UNESCO, which connects Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and Aniane. A beach just below it makes it an ideal swimming place to spend a day with family.

How to go to the hurried hinterland?

Several options are possible to reach the hinterland:

• Train: stopping her TGV station Montpellier
• Car: by the A75, exits n°49 to 59 or by the A9, exits n°33 and 34
• Aeroplane: Access to the hurried hinterland is quite simple because Montpellier is a dynamic and attractive metropolis very well served. If you choose to fly to the region, help you with a comparison of flights like Skyscanner to find the best offer. The platform will tell you the best solution, according to your criteria. Once you arrive at the airport, don’t hesitate to rent a car, this is the ideal way to visit the region. At the wheel of your rental car go on adventure and let yourself be seduced by the occitan landscapes.
• Bus: thanks to the lines Blablacar and Flixbus to Montpellier, then to the hurried hinterland by the liO departmental buses

Where to stay in the hurried hinterland?

If you choose to visit the hinterland of Herault, all types of accommodation are available to you: hotel, camping, village holidays, guest house, cottage unusual or Airbnb . And to help you in your choice, don’t hesitate to use a hotel comparison .

Stay in Montpellier is the simplest thing to be able to radiate easily in the hurried hinterland. Indeed, the city of Montpellier is located in the heart of the department and has a beautiful offer of accommodation.

If you want a slightly more nature and rural setting, you can opt for the surrounding villages as Gignac , Pézénas, Aniane, Saint Martin de Londres, Saint Mathieu de Tréviers ou encore Villeneuve les Maguelone near the sea.

Don’t wait anymore, go to the hurried hinterland!