Lodeve
Visit Lodeve (Languedoc-Roussillon, France)
Lodeve is a small town in the Herault department of Languedoc-Roussillon region, to the north of Pezenas. It is in an attractive valley, formed at the meeting place of the two rivers - the River Lergue and River Soulondre, and was once a stopping point on the pilgrim paths that pass across southern France en route for Santiago de Compostella.
Exploring Lodeve
The most important site within Lodeve is the Saint-Fulcran cathedral which dominates the centre of the town Dating from the 13th century, the gothic style fortified cathedral was built on the site of earlier cathedrals that are thought to have stood here since the 5th century (although little remains of these earlier cathedrals you can see some of the capital stones in the local museum.
Of particular note at the cathedral are the carving around the doorway, the belltower, the cloisters and the stained glass around the choir section.
Next to the cathedral is the large Bishop's Palace with its cobbled courtyard, Louis XV staircase and reception rooms decorated in Empire and Italian styles.
Other sites of note in Lodeve include a tower, 15metres high, that was part of the original fortified ramparts of Lodeve, and the monument to the dead - by local sculptor Paul Dardé, this is a very noteworthy sculpture, with a family and friends surrounding the body of a dead soldier.
Find time to amble through the pleasant pedestrianised centre of the town, to see the town hall and other impressive 18th century town houses, and to walk a little alongside the Lergue river, with the pretty backdrop of wooded hillsides.
Below the town you can see the Montifort bridge - a simple understated 14th century stone bridge with a single arch in a picturesque setting across the Soulondre river
The Fleury Museum contains an extensive local collection of geological and prehistoric remnants, and some local fine arts. The Dardé hall, a 19th century hall now dedicated to the sculptor Paul Dardé, contains three of his sculptures (one is a copy of the original).
Saturday morning is market day in Lodeve.
Attractions nearby
There are several interesting and attractive natural sites in the hills around the town - indeed, it is usually visitors to the surrounding countryside that find themselves visiting Lodeve. Among the most impressive be sure to visit the Cirque de Moureze and the scenic leisure activities around Salagou Lake.
The 17th century Italianate style Church of Notre-Dame at Gignac also merits a visit, as do the castle and historical centre of Clermont l'Herault.
Photos of Lodeve
Click any picture to start the gallery
Tourist classifications for Lodeve
Lodeve is classified as a recommended detour town (plus beau detour)
Address: Lodève, Herault, Languedoc-Roussillon, 34700 || GPS: latitude 43.7325, longitude 3.32028
Map of Lodeve & places nearby
Highlights close by
Lunas and area 12km
Cirque de Moureze 13km
Clermont-l'Herault 15km
See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near Lodeve.
See Languedoc-Roussillon and Herault (the region and department for Lodeve) for more travel ideas...
Suggested tourist attractions to visit near Lodeve, France
- Valle du Salagou - grand site of france (9km)
- Cirque du Moureze - site of natural beauty (13km)
- Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert - most beautiful village (18km)
- St Guilhem le Desert ancienne abbaye (monuments on French pilgrim routes) - heritage site (18km)
- Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert / Gorges de l'Herault - grand site of france (19km)
- Grotte de la Clamouse - site of natural beauty (19km)
- Saint Jean de Fos pont du diable (monuments on French pilgrim routes) - heritage site (19km)
- La Couvertoirade - most beautiful village (20km)
- Cirque de Vissec - site of natural beauty (22km)
- Cirque de Navacelles - grand site of france (23km)
The French version of this page is at Lodeve (Francais)
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