This is a guest article for France This Way by an inhabitant of Aigne
The small village of Aigne is in the Hérault department of Languedoc-Roussillon, a short distance east of Minerve, and it would be easy to whizz straight through the village on your way to the more historic and better known cathar village of Minerve. But I would strongly urge you to stop here...
Explore Aigne
Back in 2007, we discovered the wonderful region of the Minervois. Seduced by the mountains, gorges, vineyards and coast, we bought a house there, in a little village called Aigne. To walk in to the fortified area of the village, is to wander in to a fairy tale. It’s a truly magical space, with an immediate feeling of intimacy to it.
Find your way through the single stone arch and you will be amazed by the tight coil of houses, curving their way around the central square, protecting the most important monument in Aigne, the church. I was lucky enough to be married in this part of the village and there could have been nowhere more perfect to say our vows.
Despite the small size of the village there are several galleries to explore, specializing in painting, and sculpture in wood and stone such as the atelier Jatteau, a studio by the church, and the exhibitions in the studio on the right as you enter through the arch.
You will also find several wine tasting caves, such as those of Eve Bru on the main road and Thierry at Ste-Leocadie on the other side of the village.
Lo Cagoral, (closed wednesdays and thursdays in winter) is the only restaurant in the village, and serves the finest lunch in the area but make sure you book in the summer, unsurprisingly this is a local favourite. And what could be more pleasant after a gourmet feast than to explore this gem of a place?
Attractions nearby
There are some stunning walks to be had all around Aigne where you can find yourself some rosemary and thyme, some olives, figs or rocket and it’s all wild, and there for the taking. Buy a local map and find the old GR trails, all clearly marked on both map and by painted marks on rocks and trees along the way. You can’t go wrong!
South of the village you will find a beautiful walk down to the village of Mailhac, where you will find a cafe to quench your thirst before finding your way back and north of the village, through vineyards you will find the ‘mystical oak tree of Saint Abdon’, long associated with druidism, where there are 360 degree views towards Minerve, La Caunette and the black mountains. Stunning.
You can find more travel ideas in the Herault guide and the Languedoc-Roussillon guide.
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Map of Aigne and places nearby
Visit near Aigne with France This Way reviews
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Bize-Minervois guide
Minerve
The ancient streets of the attractive village of Minerve are very pleasant to explore, and you also have great views across the region
Minerve guide
Saint-Chinian
The busy village of Saint-Chinian in the Minerves is best known for the good quality wind produced here
Saint-Chinian guide
Narbonne
Among other highlights, the parts of Narbonne along the canal and around the cathedral are especially worth exploring
Narbonne guide
Caunes-Minervois
If you are exploreing the Minervois wine region you will also want to take a break in the small village of Caunes-Minervois
Caunes-Minervois guide
Fontfroide Abbey
The Abbey at Fontfroide dates from the 12th century, and is one of the most interesting abbeys in the region
Fontfroide Abbey guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Herault
Address: Aigne, Olonzac, Béziers, Languedoc-Roussillon, 34210, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.333, longitude 2.817
Plan your visit to Aigne, Herault
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Minerve: most beautiful village (6 km)
- Grotte de la Devèze: site of natural beauty (18 km)
- Narbonne: secteur sauvegarde (22 km)
- Enserune: national monument (24 km)
- Abbaye de Fontfroide (Narbonne): religious monument (25 km)
- Forêt de Fontfroide: site of natural beauty (25 km)
- Olargues: most beautiful village (26 km)
- Gouffre de Cabrespine: site of natural beauty (29 km)
- Haut-Languedoc: regional natural parc (29 km)
- Fraisse-sur-Agout: ville fleurie 4* (30 km)
- Lagrasse: most beautiful village (31 km)
- African reserve of Sigean: zoo or wildlife park (31 km)
The French version of this page is at Aigne (Francais)