Lunas, Avene, Brenas, Ceilhes et Rocozels, Dio et Valquieres and Joncels are small but pretty villages in the area known as the 'Pays des Monts et des Sources', 'Land of Mountains and Springs'.
Take a drive through this pretty countryside and stop to discover the pretty villages tucked away in this peaceful area of the Herault department in Languedoc Roussillon.
For a quiet day away from the coast or the vibrant city of Montpellier explore some of the less well known countryside of the Languedoc Roussillon region. Driving through the pretty countryside of hills and rivers is a pleasure.
Discover Lunas
One of the biggest of the villages Lunas has a pretty setting on the edge of the River Gravezon. Attractive stone terrassed houses and the chateaux de Lunas with its attractive square turrets line the river bank. (See main photo above).
Visit the tourist office next to the Church of Saint Pancrace and pick up a leaflet which can guide you through the main sights of Lunas.
Take a look at the a frieze sculpted with human and animal heads of the Saint Pancrace church in the village. On the edge of the village is an older church, the Chapel of Saint George which is the oldest building in the village.
The original chateau, which sat above the village, was burned down in 1627 and later rebuilt next to the river in 1641.This is now a restaurant allowing you to admire the castle at the same time as enjoying a pleasant lunch or dinner.
The houses of the village tend to have a ground floor which was originally used for animals. The next floor was for living in and therefore has windows and the most decorative parts of the facade. Above this was a storage area. On the eaves of the roofs look for the 'genoises', these are rows of tiles which divert the rain and the more rows there are the richer was the owner!
Joncels
The village of Joncels has a main square with an unusual feature - two of its sides are the remains of a cloister. Joncels used to be home to a Benedictine Abbey whose origins date back to the 8th century.
In the Middle Ages it was one of the most important abbeys in the Languadoc and was a stop on the pilgrimage route to Saint Jacques de Compostelle.
Look inside the abbey to see the 16th century alterpiece and the wooden shrine containing the relics of Saint-Benoît.
Look out for the 'Villa Issiates' with its sculpted wooden features.
Joncels is classified as being a "Village d'Interet superieur".
Dio & Valquieres
Driving to Dio and Valquieres you will notice the change in colour of the earth around here. It is an unusual deep red colour like that around the Lac du Salagou. Set above the village of Dio is a large castle which is currently being renovated.
Nearby is Valquières with pretty medieval houses set around a 12th century church with a lauzes roof (roof tiled with stone tiles).
Also in this area of 'mountains and streams' is the village of Avène with its unusual circular layout and of course its important spring which is used in the Avene spa and the Avène beauty products.
Brenas, Ceilhes and Rocozels are also villages in this area with various points of interest such as lakes, churches and fountains.
Places to Visit Nearby
Close by is the Lac du Salagou and the Cirque de Moureze.
To the east is one of France's most beautiful villages - Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert.
You can find more travel ideas in the Herault guide and the Languedoc-Roussillon guide.
Photos of Lunas and area
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Map of Lunas and area and places nearby
Visit near Lunas and area with France This Way reviews
Avene
More famous for the beauty products produced here, the steep streets of the old village of Avene are also enjoyable to explore
Avene guide
Lodeve
It is undoubtedly the Saint-Fulcran cathedral that will form the centre of your visit to Lodeve
Lodeve 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
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
Cirque de Moureze
The Cirque de Moureze is one of the loveliest scenic spectacles in northern Languedoc-Roussillon
Cirque de Moureze guide
Villeneuvette
Villeneuvette is a pretty small village, interesting because it was originally built as a cloth factory with housing for the workers
Villeneuvette guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Herault
Address: Lunas, Lodève, Languedoc-Roussillon, 34650, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.787, longitude 3.197
Plan your visit to Lunas and area, Herault
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Lodeve: recommended detour (12 km)
- Le Caylar: village d'etape (13 km)
- La Couvertoirade: most beautiful village (17 km)
- Abbaye de Sylvanès (Sylvanes): religious monument (20 km)
- Valle du Salagou: grand site of france (20 km)
- Cirque du Moureze: site of natural beauty (23 km)
- Cirque de Mourèze: site of natural beauty (23 km)
- Cirque de Vissec: site of natural beauty (25 km)
- Mont Caroux: site of natural beauty (26 km)
- Cirque de Navacelles: grand site of france (28 km)
- Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert: most beautiful village (29 km)
- St Guilhem le Desert ancienne abbaye (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (29 km)
The French version of this page is at Lunas and area (Francais)