Avene is situated in the Pays des Monts et Sources (land of mountains and springs) in the Herault department of Languedoc Roussillon, not far from Lodève. The village is famous for its therapeutic waters and the spa and Avène beauty products that use these healing waters.
Exploring Avene
Avene is a small village built in an unusual circular pattern on the side of a small hill, with the church of Saint Martin at the top of the village. As you wander the narrow streets you will see several stone entrances to the village. Look out also for the fountain and the 15th century bread oven.
Avene sits in a very picturesque spot within a bend of the Orb river and surrounded by tree covered hills. The autumn colours when I visited in November were wonderful with bright blazes of orange and yellow interspersed by the green of the evergreen trees.
The river Orb can be crossed by the 12th century Romanesque bridge.
For one of the best views of the village go up to the viewpoint at 'la Vierge'.
Avène Spa
The thermal waters of Avene have been found to be particularly good for skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, burns and scarring. It is possible to benefit from the waters by visiting the spa which is situated in the valley a little below the village. The 'Station Thermale d'Avene les Bains' specialises in skin conditions and combines high tech treatments with the curative waters.
The well-known Avène beauty products are also made here using the Avène mineral water as a base for their products.
Places to Visit Nearby
The local area, 'The Pays des Monts et des Sources', is an attractive area with gently wooded hills, rivers and picturesque small villages dotted around. Lunas is one of the most interesting of the villages with its pretty riverside setting and the Chateau de Lunas on the water-side.
You can find more travel ideas in the Herault guide and the Languedoc-Roussillon guide.
Arrange a visit to Avene
Hotels in Avene
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Map of Avene and places nearby
Visit near Avene with France This Way reviews
Lunas and area
Lunas is one of the villages in the attractive 'Land of Mountains and Springs' region of Herault
Lunas and area guide
Lodeve
It is undoubtedly the Saint-Fulcran cathedral that will form the centre of your visit to Lodeve
Lodeve guide
Le Lac-du-Salagou
The Lac-du-Salagou is a popular leisure lake with a wide range of activities and several places of interest close by
Le Lac-du-Salagou guide
La Couvertoirade
La Couvertoirade, listed among the 'most beautiful villages in France', is one of the most complete fortified medieval villages in France
La Couvertoirade guide
Cirque de Moureze
The Cirque de Moureze is one of the loveliest scenic spectacles in northern Languedoc-Roussillon
Cirque de Moureze guide
Olargues
With a lovely medieval centre and the scenic background of the Jaur river that encircles Olargues this is one of our favourite Languedoc villages
Olargues guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Herault
Address: Avène, Lunas, Lodève, Languedoc-Roussillon, 34260, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.7581, longitude 3.1
Plan your visit to Avene, Herault
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Abbaye de Sylvanès (Sylvanes): religious monument (14 km)
- Lodeve: recommended detour (18 km)
- Mont Caroux: site of natural beauty (19 km)
- Le Caylar: village d'etape (21 km)
- Valle du Salagou: grand site of france (24 km)
- La Couvertoirade: most beautiful village (24 km)
- Cirque du Moureze: site of natural beauty (26 km)
- Cirque de Mourèze: site of natural beauty (26 km)
- Olargues: most beautiful village (27 km)
- Fraisse-sur-Agout: ville fleurie 4* (29 km)
- Grands Causses: regional natural parc (32 km)
- Cirque de Vissec: site of natural beauty (33 km)
The French version of this page is at Avene (Francais)