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The Navacelles cirque
The view is magnificent from the Blandas or Larzac plateaus, which tower more than 300 meters over the cirque, surrounded by sheer cliffs.
An easy 1-hour hike along the Vis river, which has carved out this magnificent geological formation, takes you to this resurgence, with its ancient mills that have been superbly restored recently. |
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Salagou Lake
The lake's blue waters reflect the sky, the green vegetation and the ochre-colored sandstone of the banks, creating a bewitching contrast. It is a paradise for geologists, amateur and professional alike.
The lake has many beaches where you can usually find some solitude on the red sand.
One intriguing sight is really worth a detour: the Lieude rock slab, with its many remains of pre-mammalian reptiles. |
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The Mourèze cirque
Also right by Salagou is this strange petrified forest, the largest in France, which was formed by water erosion.
There are a number of easy, clearly marked hikes that take you through this amazing dolomite landscape, with its gigantic petrified columns that appear to be reaching for the sky. |
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Villeneuvette
Created in the 17th century at the instigation of Colbert, the Sun King's finance minister, the royal workshops at Villeneuve-les-Clermont prospered for a long time.
Although the last workshops closed their doors over 50 years ago, the buildings, which were designed so that the worker-peasants lived where they worked, remain in their original state. |
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Nîmes
Nîmes, 40 minutes away by car, is worth the trip, if only for its immense, exceptionally well preserved arenas.
The Magne tower and its surrounding gardens, and the Maison Carrée, are two other sites worth seeing. |
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The Midi canal
The French call such constructions "ouvrages d'art", and here you can see why. All kinds of obstacles were overcome to build this canal in the 17th century. The engineer, Paul Riquet, went on to invent an early version of the social security system.
The staircase to the Fonsérranes lock, and the bridge over the Orb, both at Béziers, are the most spectacular and daring parts. |
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