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Loupian

Visit Loupian (Languedoc-Roussillon, France)

Loupian is a village that developed near the site of a 1st century Roman villa, near the Etang de Thau and west of Sete in Languedoc Rousssillon. The town contains several streets of attractive ancient houses to explore, and some notable highlights, while the nearby roman villa contains exceptional mosaics.

Loupian village

Exploring the compact centre of Loupian, the first thing you will see is a part of the original fortifications of the village that still remains, including the 14th century fortified gates, some sections of wall and the clock tower.

There are two churches in the village - in the village centre is the roman style Chapel of Saint-Hippolyte, a fortified church with some very unusual characteristics such as the facade, with a decorative stone entrance surrounded by a larger stone arch, the fortified five-sided chevet to the rear, and small towers to front and rear.

Next to the Chapel of Saint-Hippolyte is the Town Hall, once manor house to a local lord and featuring lots of interesting architectural highlights, such as ornately carved windows and a small tower in the wall. Also close by, the Maison Garcia is a 16th century house with sculptural carved wooden elements.

Elsewhere in the centre of Loupian you will see the Chapel of the Penitents, a 17th century clocktower above a stone gateway, and many other small architectural highlights.

A little outside the town is the substantial gothic style Church of Saint-Cecile, built in the 14th century to a very austere design. Next to the church archaeological work has found the traces of a much older 'church', possibly dating from the 4th century and one of very few examples of such an early religious monument. Although the details of the structure remain unclear, it seems likely that baptisms played an important role.

The Roman Villa of Loupian

The significant remains of a Roman villa can be seen at Pres-Bas, one kilometre away from Loupian. The villa was originally an important storage depot for wine before its export from the port in the nearby Etang de Thau.

The substantial excavations have revealed an exceptional display of mosaic, both from the original 2nd century villa and from a large reconstruction that took place around the 5th century. Numerous different styles and designs can be seen in the mosaics which cover a substantial floor area.

The mosaics are classified as a Historic Monument - see the official Loupian Villa site for detailed information of the individual mosaics.

Close by

There are several other small towns of interest around the bassin de Thau, such as Bouzigues, Meze and Balaruc-le-Vieux, each with their own particular characteristics.

Photos taken within 10 km

Address: Loupian, Mèze, Montpellier, Herault, Languedoc-Roussillon, 34140 || GPS: latitude 43.45, longitude 3.6144

Map of Loupian & places nearby



 

Highlights close by

More suggestions: Sete 8km; Marseillan 12km; Pezenas 15km; Agde 19km; Maguelone 23km; Clermont-l'Herault 25km; Villeneuvette 25km; Cap d'Agde 25km; Palavas-les-Flots 27km; Montpellier 28km; Cirque de Moureze 28km;

See lots more places to visit nearby and a more detailed map at places near Loupian.
See Languedoc-Roussillon and Herault (the region and department for Loupian) for more travel ideas...

Suggested tourist attractions to visit near Loupian, France

• Etang de Thau - site of natural beauty (5km)
• Pezenas - recommended detour (15km)
• Etangs du Bagnas - site of natural beauty (17km)
• Parc et jardin du château de Margon - remarkable garden (25km)
• Jardin des carrières de Saint-Adrien - remarkable garden (26km)
• Montpellier - secteur sauvegarde (28km)
• Cirque du Moureze - site of natural beauty (28km)
• Grotte de la Clamouse - site of natural beauty (28km)
• Saint Jean de Fos pont du diable (monuments on French pilgrim routes) - heritage site (29km)
• Parc zoologique de Lunaret - zoo or wildlife park (30km)

The French version of this page is at Loupian (Francais)