Are you visiting Montpellier on vacation? Take the opportunity to discover the department! Here are the 17 must-see things to do in Hérault!
As summer approaches and the cicadas begin to sing, the Hérault region comes alive with holidaymakers. Holidaymakers from all over France and beyond flock to the beaches, and some villages, which were extinguished in winter, are reborn and come alive until the end of the night. But there’s much more to Hérault than its beaches. There are many different places to discover, some with their own particular history and charm.
So how do you visit the Hérault? Here are the 17 must-do things to do in Hérault!
1. Montpellier
The historic center
Its winding cobbled streets bear witness to centuries of history. Montpellier’s historic center, known as the Écusson, is a must-see when visiting the Hérault region. Despite its small size, the center abounds in magnificent buildings, magical squares and entertainment for all seasons.
Of course, the Place de la Comédie, with its Three Graces, is the symbol of the town. In the calm of the trees, Place de la Canourgue is the place to relax and unwind. Place Jean-Jaurès is where students gather. In short, there’s something for everyone!
Fabre Museum
The city’s main museum is close to the Place de la Comédie. With some nine hundred works by France’s greatest painters on display, the museum is of the highest quality, and the 2003 renovation of the building makes it even more attractive. In fact, one of the galleries is twinned with the Louvre!
Lunaret zoological park
The zoo is located in a park close to the Université Paul-Valéry. The great attraction of this zoo is that it’s entirely free for visitors!
2. Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
Visiting the Hérault without visiting Saint-Guilhem is like going to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. The commune has been awarded the titles of Grand Site de France, most beautiful village in France and Unesco World Heritage Site. It’s absolutely magnificent.
Its small historic center, made up of winding lanes, plunges us into a distant past. Quiet and restful, you can even begin to meditate to the sound of the small waterfall. Don’t miss a visit to Gellone Abbey. Last but not least, the Place de la Liberté with its plane tree planted in 1855. An unforgettable place!
3. Sète
Downtown and the marina
In winter, the area is quiet and ideal for a relaxing stroll. In summer, the area comes alive with the St. Louis festivities and the famous nautical jousts.
Whatever the time of year, the narrow streets of the town center and the little port are among the best places to visit in the Hérault region. Don’t hesitate to try the tielles sétoises, the local specialty!
Mount Saint-Clair
As the climb is particularly tiring on foot, we’re reassured by what awaits us on arrival. At almost 200 metres above sea level, Mont Saint-Clair is THE viewpoint of Sète! The Grande Bleue and theEtang de Thau are at their most beautiful. On the way down, we recommend a visit to the marine cemetery and the sea museum.
L’espace George Brassens
It’s impossible to dissociate Sète from Brassens. For fans, his space is almost a pilgrimage, and the premises are, objectively, a great success. They retrace the singer’s history, his way of writing, his inspirations and his life through photos and videos. You can even explore the site with headphones on!
4. The Navacelles cirque
Visiting the Hérault also means discovering some magnificent natural landscapes. One of them, the cirque de Navacelles, offers the sublime panorama of a natural enclosure born of erosion, the shape of which is reminiscent of an ancient theater.
A hike along the Vis river leads to the resurgence of the same name, where you can see a magnificent waterfall and a torrent flowing under an old mill. It’s a landscape the likes of which nature rarely produces!
5. La Grande-Motte and Grand Travers beach
The beach is one of the classic things to do in Hérault. La Grande-Motte, with its Grand Travers beach, is the ideal place for those in search of fine sand. In summer, the town is transformed with its countless seaside restaurants, ice-cream and doughnut vendors.
For those who want more peace and comfort, head for the private beaches. Finally, if you feel like playing the one-armed bandit, head for the casino, the largest in the département.
6. Béziers
Downtown and historic center
As you approach the city center, you catch sight of the immense Saint-Nazaire cathedral. Gradually, you discover the other wonders of Béziers’ historic center: the Vieux-Pont, the banks of the Orb and the cobbled streets.
Although not always referred to as such, the historic center of Béziers is one of the most beautiful in the region. An ideal place to discover the medieval architecture of the Midi.
The Fonséranes locks and hiking on the Canal du Midi
While you’re in Béziers, take the opportunity to visit the Canal du Midi. You’ll see a 17th-century feat of architecture, the Orb canal-bridge, specially designed for boats! You can experience it for yourself on a canal cruise.
Further along are the nine Fonséranes locks, another example of the civil engineering of the period. Thanks to a complex system, the boat can overcome a twenty-one-meter difference in height! A unique experience to behold.
7. Pézenas
Close to Béziers, Pézenas is a village that deserves special attention when visiting the Hérault. The town center is typical of the region, with its narrow streets, traditional stores and stone buildings.
A native of Pézenas, Boby Lapointe, the king of puns, has his own dedicated museum where fans of the singer will flock. But Pézenas is also the place to follow in the footsteps of Molière, who came to the village so many times. In fact, it was here that the playwright’s career really began.
8. Le Pic Saint-Loup
Some Montpellier residents can see it from their windows. The Sainte-Victoire, as it’s known here, is a great hike to make in the Hérault region. At the summit, after a 2.5-hour hike, you can enjoy a superb panorama. From the top, you can picnic and enjoy the view.
Once back on the mountain, you can visit the surrounding vineyards and taste some fine Coteaux du Languedoc AOC – Pic Saint-Loup wine!
9. Lac du Salagou and cirque de Mourèze
An artificial lake created by the dam of the same name in the 1960s, Lac du Salagou is one of the best walks in the Hérault region. With its red color due to the presence of iron oxide, the shores of the lake are superb. In high summer, the lake offers a wide range of activities, from swimming to kayaking.
The cirque de Mourèze, a sort of circular natural enclosure, can be reached in 20 minutes by car or, for the more courageous, after a one-hour hike. The reward is an extraordinary spectacle of strangely shaped rocks.
10. Cap d’Agde
It’s hard to visit the Hérault without mentioning Cap d’Agde. Known the world over for its naturist beaches, the seaside resort is something of an escape par excellence. A dead town in winter, Cap de Agde is a hot spot in summer! Nightclubs, restaurants, bars, casino – there’s no shortage of places to party!
If you’re looking for something cultural, the Museum of Underwater Archaeology or the town center of Agde, just a few kilometers from Le Cap, are both recommended visits. Last but not least, the Bagnas nature reserve offers the chance to observe a flourishing fauna and flora.
11. The Hérault gorges and the Devil’s bridge
The Gorges de l’Hérault are a river carved out of the mountains, offering splendid panoramic views from a number of bridges. The most famous of these is the Pont du Diable, dating from the 11th century, located in the commune of Ariane and listed as a Unesco World Heritage site.
It’s possible to cross part of the gorges by canoe, and Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is where you’ll find the most rentals. Definitely one of the most fun things to do in the Hérault!
12. Fontcaude Abbey
Visiting the Hérault also means getting lost in the department’s countryside, and if you look hard enough, you’ll find a few gems. Right in the heart of the Biterrois hinterland lies Fontcaude Abbey. Built in the 12th century and in ruins by the 19th, the abbey has since been magnificently restored and transformed into a museum.
13. La grotte des Demoiselles
History tells us that the name Demoiselles comes from the fairies that the peasants thought they could see as they passed by. In fact, it was the stalactites! This anecdote should not detract from the beauty and immensity of the site, a superb discovery for young and old alike.
14. Maguelone Cathedral
It seems a little lost in the middle of the pond and inlets. Located on the island of Maguelone, the cathedral of the same name dates back to the 12th century and, along with Montpellier Cathedral, is one of the department’s two main religious buildings.
It’s the building’s surroundings that are most impressive. In addition to its island character, it’s surrounded by vineyards!
15. Aresquiers beach
It’s possible to visit the Hérault and stumble across a beach lost in the middle of the countryside, the largest pebble beach in the département. The Aresquiers beach is more natural and better preserved than the surrounding beaches.
The area is protected and construction is prohibited. Apart from in the very high season, it’s a really peaceful place, almost like a private beach!
16. The Gallo-Roman site of Ensérune
A visit to the Hérault is also a plunge back in time to the Gauls! Nissan-lez-Ensérune, near Béziers, is home to the Ensérune oppidum. With a few ruins and a museum, the site can be visited fairly quickly.
The Gauls built the city on a hill, allowing them to see everything below. The Romans took over the site, and the Via Domitia can be seen from here. But the most spectacular view is over the dry pond of Montady, forming a cake where each slice has its own culture and leaving quite an original image!
17. Palavas-les-Flots
Just a few kilometers from Montpellier, the seaside resort of Palavas is a classic must-see in the Hérault region. Of course, there’s the beach. But we especially love its small town center, where you can stroll along the banks of the River Lez.
The town’s main attraction is the Transcanal, perhaps the shortest chairlift in the world! Well, it’s really for the lazy or those with walking difficulties, but the view from the top is still pleasant!
How to get to Hérault
By plane
To visit the Hérault region, you can fly in. The two main airports are Montpellier-Méditerranée and Béziers-Cap d’Agde. The former is served several times daily from Paris by scheduled and low-cost airlines, while the latter is served almost exclusively by low-cost airlines.
Don’t hesitate to take a look at a flight comparator like Ulysse, to find the flights that best meet your expectations.
By train
The Hérault region can be reached by train in just a few hours. Montpellier and its two train stations, Agde, Béziers, Sète and Lunel are easily accessible from Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Toulouse and even Charles De Gaulle Airport, London and Brussels.
From Paris or Lyon, the TGV Ouigo offer means you pay less than for a conventional TGV.
By bus
In recent years, the bus has established itself as a safe and very inexpensive means of transport. If you’ve got some time on your hands and want to leave comfort behind for a few hours, the bus is for you!
By car
With theA9 andA75 freeways, the Hérault can only be reached by freeway from Paris or Lyon, considerably reducing travel time. From Paris and Lyon, the tolls are around €50 and €27 respectively.
Where to stay in Hérault?
Montpellier’s historic center is ideal for those who want to enjoy the city and have an urban pied-à-terre. Smaller towns such as Béziers and Sète are also ideal.
Those who want to stay at the beach can choose La Grande-Motte, Palavas-les-Flots, Cap d’Agde or Carnon.
Finally, for a more authentic experience, you can stay in villages such as Pézenas or Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, or camp out in the countryside, for example near Lac du Salagou.
To find your accommodation, don’t hesitate to consult a hotel comparator or Airbnb for a more authentic experience.
Map of hotels and accommodation – Occitanie