The Region

The languedoc Rousillon

Come and discover the historical and cultural richness of the surrounding area: Montpellier, Sète, Béziers, Pézénas, Saint Guilhem le Désert, the copper mines of Cabrières, the Cirque de Navacelles, the Peak of Saint-Louis, the prehistoric site of Cambous...

For those who would rather laze on the Mediterranean beaches, the sites of Palavas, les Aresquiers, Frontignan or else Sète are just a few minutes away from the campsite.

THE SURROUNDING AREA

Discover the typical places in our region

:: Saint Guilhem le Désert [...]

:: The cave of Clamouse [...]

:: The gorge of the Hérault  [...]

:: The Lake of the Salagou [...]

:: The copper mines of Cabrières  [...]

Do you want more information ?

http://www.herault.fr
http://www.ot-montpellier.fr
Saint Guilhem le Désert

Lying at the foot of the Cirque de l’Infernet with its amazing limestone cliffs, you will the lovely village of Saint Guilhem le Désert. Crossed by a brook that rises in the cirque and flows into the River Hérault, this nice village will welcome you. Meet its many craftsmen while strolling in the picturesque streets. This place dates from the 8th century. Back at the time a few houses only along with an abbey, Gellone, make up the village. Guilhem, a man of powerful origins and lieutenant of Charlemagne founded the place. Following the death of his wife, this warlord finishes his life in prayer and fasting. The relics from the cross of Christ along with Guilhem’s – once canonized – would afterward become objects of pilgrimage. Gellone Abbey is open to visitors.

The cave of Clamouse

Less than 5 km from Saint Guilhem le Désert, discover the famous cave of Clamouse in Saint Jean de Fos, one of the most visited caves in France! At the heart of the gorge of the Hérault you will have the opportunity to discover the richness of most amazing sculptures that made famous the cave of Clamouse. This place, over a million years old, was discovered in 1945 by a team of potholers. It is 4km long and is adapted for tourists on 1km. For about twenty years it has been used for scientific purposes and studied by world-famous researchers. It is about to be classified as part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

The gorge of the Hérault

At the heart of the Cévennes, the torrent takes its source at an altitude of 2000 metres. Its first 10 kilometers flow down the side of the mountain covering 1000 meters of altitude. Past Valleraugues, the Hérault sluggishly continues its way in the valley and erodes the rocks here and there. Many sites induce you to have a swim or to kayak down the river: go for instance near the Pont du Diable (“the Devil’s Bridge”), where the water, after passing through narrow gorge, spreads over the plain before flowing into the sea.

The Lake of the Salagou

Colourful and definitely worth the trip! A great number of animals and plants have taken residence there offering the visitor a nice walk so they can discover the richness of the area. The Salagou is the right place to relax or swim (the water temperature can reach 28°C in summer). It is about 7km long and is surrounded by 28km of paths suitable for hiking. This place is essential for sporty people as they will be given the pleasure to practice many water and gliding sports – sailing – fishing, along with hiking and mountain biking (many trails are to be found in the surrounding mountains). Pedalos are available to rent in summer. Small villages around the lake will undoubtedly attract the attention of the visitors. Sometimes situated on the hillside they offer magnificent views of the lake. Springtime gives the lake its best array when the brooms bloom along with other wild flowers. History of the place: When the dam was built in the 1960s (1969), footprints of dinosaurs and of other mammals were found. Some of the footprints are said to be several million years old. Those footprints can be seen in the museum of Lodève or on the paleontological site of Lieude.

The copper mines of Cabrières

The 5000 year old copper mine of Pioch Farrus is unique in France. It displays a gathering of prehistoric works along with others dating back from the Romans and from the 19th century. 5000 years ago (3000 years B.C) Languedoc Neolitic people started to use metal. With time copper would become the main material in the making of daggers, axes, awls or else, pearls. Cabrière is one of the oldest production sites of copper in France. Apart from the numerous mine shafts divided into four areas of explotation, the discovery and the studies carried out by the workshops – that deal with the processing and fusion of the ore (Roques Fenestre) – give, on the western part of the Mediterranean sea, a unique dimension to this metallurgical.