10 Best Things to Do in Herault
What is Herault Most Famous For?
Our guide to the best things to do in Hérault welcome you to discover the exciting Mediterranean coast of southern France. Hérault is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution in 1790. Its towns and cities are brimming with history, ancient architecture and interesting museums and art galleries.
Visitors looking for outdoor adventure will find jaw-dropping beaches along the Mediterranean coastline where the recreational opportunities are endless. Recreationists might snorkel above the black sand of La Grande Conque Beach or fish in Étang de Thau, a large saltwater lagoon. And, of course, there is wine to drink and vineyards to explore, in addition to endless culinary options.
What are the best things to do in Hérault?
1. Herault beaches
Clear waters and fine sand along the Mediterranean coastline
Ideal para: Famílias, Foto, Econômico
Visitors to Hérault will be spoiled by the number of beaches to appreciate. The area around the city of Montpellier in particular has several quality beaches. If you were to ask a local for a favourite beach the answer might be Villenueve-lés-Maguelone, with its international kite-surfing competition, or Palavas-les-Flots because of the family-friendly atmosphere and sports facilities. There’s also Espiguette Beach, known for its long expanse of sand.
La Grande Conque Beach in Cap d’Agde has black sand that was formed by volcanic rock and its clear waters make for great swimming, snorkelling and paddleboarding. So, be sure to pack your bathers.
Herault beaches
2. Montpellier
Large city with centuries of history and plenty of sights
Ideal para: Compras, História, Alimentação
Montpellier is the third-largest city in France near the Mediterranean coast, behind Marseille and Nice. It is a very pedestrian-friendly city, and the most popular place to go for a walk is the Place de la Comédie. Billed as one of the largest pedestrian spaces in Europe, the area features the Comédie opera house and the fountain of the Three Graces. If you enjoy people watching you’ll love the Place de la Comédie, with its street artists, cafes and restaurants.
The Fabre Museum, with its vast collection of European art, is a major attraction. Another popular destination is Planet Ocean World, a large aquarium with thousands of sea and ocean animals and high-tech exhibits.
Montpellier
3. Étang de Thau
A large saltwater lagoon
Ideal para: Foto, Viagens alternativas, Casais
The Étang de Thau, also known as the Bassin de Thau, is a large saltwater lagoon that is separated from the Mediterranean by a sandbank. It is the largest salt lake in the Occitanie region. The lagoon is open to the sea, and fishermen catch several different species. Étang de Thau is famous for its oysters that benefit from the natural conditions.
Several fishing villages beckon tourists to the shores of Étang de Thau. Lake sailing and canoeing are favourite activities and several businesses in the area provide lessons. If you’re into more adventurous water sports, try windsurfing or water skiing which are other popular activities on the water.
Étang de Thau
4. Sète
Coastal town with a seafront promenade
Ideal para: Foto, Econômico, Casais
Sète, which is known as ‘Venice of Languedoc’, features a picturesque seafront promenade, beaches and canals. It is bordered on one side by the Étang de Thau and, across a narrow isthmus, the town’s Mediterranean coast is lined with sandy beaches.
Sète’s canals are lined by colourful buildings, and drawbridges and swing bridges span across the waterways. A trip to the old port allows visitors to watch fishermen return from their work on the water. The Escale à Sète Festival takes place every 2 years around Easter and is famous for its legendary sailboats.
Sète
5. Pézenas
Small town with a historical centre
Ideal para: Foto, História
The small town of Pézenas, located about 50 km from Montpellier, has a rich history. Today, visitors can walk along its cobbled streets and see houses that date to the Middle Ages and mansions that were built in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Molière’s career essentially began in Pézenas, and his works can be seen at the town’s historic theatre, which was built in the late 16th century. Vulliod Saint-Germain Museum, housed in a former mansion, features different rooms that recall the memory of Molière. In June, Pézenas hosts festivals featuring plays on stilts, pop-up stages and more, with a nod to the town’s unique history.
Pézenas
6. Avène
A village known for its thermal spring, historic churches
Ideal para: Foto, História, Casais
Avène is a small village in in the Pays des Monts et Sources (land of mountains and springs). The village is nestled along the river Orb and surrounded by wooded hills. It was built in a circular pattern that winds up a small hill toward the Church of Saint Martin.
Avène is famous for its thermal waters, which have been used for therapeutic purposes dating back to the 1700s. In addition to the name of the village, Avène is the brand name of the company that uses Avène Thermal Spring Water in its products to soothe, soften and calm the skin. Famously, Avène Thermal Spring Water was sent to the victims of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Avène
7. Museums of Béziers
A collection of museums in one of France’s oldest cities
Ideal para: Foto, História
Béziers and its intriguing museums are located along the river Orb, about 10 km from the Mediterranean coast. As one of the oldest cities in France, Béziers has a rich history that can be found in the town’s historic architecture and its several museums.
A branch of the former Musée des Beaux-Arts, the Hotel Fayet boasts an impressive collection of 19th-century paintings. The museum features the studio collection of Béziers sculptor Jean-Antoine Injalbert, one of the most famous sculptors of his time (1845-1933). Smaller museums celebrate art and facets of Béziers’ culture, including its ties to bullfighting.
Museums of Béziers
8. Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural Park
Large park with a diverse range of landscapes
Ideal para: Foto, Aventura
Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural Park is located between Montpellier and Toulouse. It covers about 2,600 sq km and a little more than 80,000 people live within its boundaries. Visitors will find plenty to see: forests, vineyards, mountain ranges and villages. The park is home to 240 species of birds, including eagles.
Outdoor adventurers will find plenty of trails for mountain biking, hiking and running. For those seeking water adventure there are opportunities for kayaking, fishing or relaxing in a thermal spa. Fun fact: The park provides a home for mouflons, wild sheep native to the Caspian region that were successfully introduced to the area.
Localização: 1 Pl. du Foirail, 34220 Saint-Pons-de-Thomières, France
Abre: Tuesday–Thursday from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm (closed on Friday–Monday)
Telefone: +33 (0)4 67 97 38 22
Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural Park
9. Domaine Preignes le Vieux
Vineyard with plenty of history, plus an old castle
Ideal para: História, Foto, Compras
Located between Béziers and Agde, Domaine Preignes le Vieux doesn’t just appeal to wine lovers. It also draws historians and admirers of architecture. Guided tours and walks through the vineyards will take visitors through an estate that dates to the Roman times, complete with a castle that was built in the 13th century. A cellar from 1906 remains in use, combining traditional and modern wine-making techniques.
There are plenty of reasons that visitors will enjoy Domaine Preignes le Vieux, including, of course, the vineyard’s vast selection of award-winning wines. Wine lovers will find varieties of all kinds, from light whites to bold reds. And why not pick up a bottle of wine to take home as a souvenir?
Localização: preignes le vieux, 34450 Vias, France
Abre: Monday–Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm (closed on Sundays)
Telefone: +33 (0)4 67 21 67 82
Domaine Preignes le Vieux
10. Valmagne Abbey
A centuries-old Benedictine monastery
Ideal para: História, Foto, Viagens alternativas
Valmagne Abbey has centuries of history for visitors to discover. Its vineyards were established by Romans 1,000 years ago before being cared for by monks and 8 generations of winegrowers. The old church was founded by monks, who have kept the abbey and its gardens vibrant and alive for almost 700 years.
Valmagne Abbey has seen many changes over the centuries, but today it has mainly Gothic architecture with a nod to its Roman foundations. The church’s structure consists of a main nave of 7 bays, bordered by 2 aisles. Guided tours are available, but visitors can use the exploratory panels or audio guides for free anytime the abbey is open.
Localização: Abbaye Valmagne, 34560 Villeveyrac, France
Abre: Tuesday–Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm (closed on Mondays)
Telefone: +33 (0)4 67 78 06 09
Valmagne Abbey
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