Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert

Visit Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert, Languedoc-Roussillon

Saint Guilhem le Desert, one of the 'most beautiful villages of France', is found 20 km east of Lodève and north-west of Montpellier in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Set in the Gellone Valley, it is in a beautiful and remote location, surrounded by the wild and rugged countryside of the Herault Gorges, with steep slopes and cliffs poised high over the village.

As early as the 9th century an abbey was established here in this remote location, which held a fragment of the true cross. As a result in the early middle ages Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert was an important stopping point for pilgrims, and the village developed around the abbey.

Explore Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert

Enter the village near the ancient stone bridge across the Verdus and opposite the Church of Saint-Laurent, now the tourist office in St Guilhem le Desert. More than a thousand years old, the village is situated attractively along the valley bottom, just one street more or less - but it is quite a long street, leading to the Place de la Liberté  just passed the abbey.

There are numerous traditional stone houses and buildings in the village, many now carefully restored, and other architectural highlights. Among the highlights are the Maison Lorimi and the Maison Sandonato, with their facades containing numerous stone arches.

The village 'centre' if one can be said to exist, is the part of the town around the abbey and the Place de la Liberte. The Place de la Liberte is a quiet square surounded by ancient houses and dominated by a plane tree, said to be more than 160 years old. You will find a cafe and several small shops in the square.

A small part of the fortifications that once protected Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert can also be seen. There are also a couple of 're-creation' type museums with characters set in rooms typical of bygone days.

Gellone Abbey

Apart from the village itself, the Gellone Abbey is the main highlight of a visit to Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert. The abbey church is a completely perfect Roman church that simply belongs in its setting, sitting serene and graceful below the towering rocks and dating in part from the 12th century.

Although a small part of the original cloisters can still be seen unfortunately most of it has been dismantled and has now been reconstructed in a New York Museum.

Inside the abbey church there is a highly regarded example of an 18th century organ by Jean-Pierre Cavaillé, and a small museum containing various artefacts from the site.

The village is now listed as one of a very select number of 'Grand Sites of France'.

Attractions nearby

There is a cave near St Guilhem le Desert - the Clamouse Caves - that is well worth a visit, with its spectacular 'cathedral room'.

See also the Pont du Diable (an old bridge) in a very pretty setting straddling the gorge as you approach the village from the Herault Gorges - the river beach below the bridge is popular with bathers. Also on the approach you will see the towers and mill at Plancameil.

Tourist classifications for Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 1*; One of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages);

Suggested places to visit near Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Montpellier 30km; Loupian 32km; Pezenas 32km; Balaruc-le-Vieux 32km; Bouzigues 33km; Meze 34km; Etang de Thau 37km; Sete 38km; Marseillan 42km; La Grande-Motte 47km; Agde 47km; Roquebrun 49km; Beziers 50km; Anduze 51km; Prafrance bamboo garden 51km; Le Grau-du-Roi 52km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert

Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert / Gorges de l'Herault - grand site of france (0km) : Grotte de la Clamouse - site of natural beauty (3km) : Valle du Salagou - grand site of france (17km) : Cirque de Navacelles - grand site of france (18km) : Cirque de Vissec - site of natural beauty (20km) : Cirque du Moureze - site of natural beauty (20km) : Grotte des Demoiselles - site of natural beauty (25km) : Parc et jardins du château de Flaugergues - remarkable garden (33km) :

French version: see Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert (Francais)