Interesting Places to Visit in the Hérault Department
Synonymous with history, romance and the finer things in life, France has been alluring discerning visitors for decades. Add the Languedoc-Roussillon region to your fly-drive destination wish-list and you`ll be discovering a more authentic alternative to the extravagant glitz of the neighbouring Cote d`Azur, with a subtle flavour of the Pyrenees thrown in. Charming medieval villages and market towns pepper a landscape of mountains and gorges, where huge swathes of vineyards mark out the largest wine-growing area in the world. The region`s architectural sights bear witness to a rich cultural heritage and include the awe-inspiring Pont du Gard aqueduct connecting the cities of Uzès and Nimes.
Of the five counties that make up the Languedoc-Roussillon, Hérault is perhaps the most vibrant. At its heart, the city of Montpellier is dynamic and elegant, with plenty of historic sites and an important artistic heritage. But venturing into the countryside from here is the best way to discover what makes the Hérault so special. The best scenic drives from Montpellier are those that take in highlights such as Lake Salagou, the Cirque de Mourèze and the picturesque villages that nestle in the foothills of the Black Mountains. St Guilhem le Desert is the proudest jewel in the Hérault crown with its charming cobbled streets and stone abbey and marks the beginning of the spectacular Hérault gorges and their subterranean caves. Further south, the sophisticated town of Pézenas allures shoppers with its vibrant Saturday market. Following the A75 further west you arrive at the medieval town of Beziers, which offers a curious flavour of Spain with its bullfighting traditions. Heading north from here, you`ll discover the charms of Roquebrun with its old water mill and Medieval Tower and the Gorges d`Héric, where the River Orb forms tranquil rock pools which are perfect for swimming on hot days.
Alternatively, leaving Montpellier via the coastline and crossing the slither of dunes and beaches that make up the Carnon plage and Grande-Motte areas, then driving east from Aigues-Mortes to Arles you`ll cross the contrasting landscapes of the Camargue wetlands, with the pink haze of flamingos and rare glimpses of wild ponies. The coastline of the Hérault is endearingly French. Heading westwards through Frontignan you`ll discover the town of Sète, known as the Venice of Languedoc, a cosmopolitan harbour town straddling the sea and the oyster farms of the Thau lagoon. It`s the perfect location to enjoy the local seafood and its famous annual water-jousting tournaments are a mesmerising spectacle.
If you`re flying into Montpellier, you`ll have a number of car-hire options available at the terminals when you arrive, although it`s always advisable to book in advance online. As you can often pay over the odds for holiday car-hire, it pays to carry out a few price comparisons to ensure you get the best value-for-money deal, particularly as you can be swamped by the sheer number of companies and offers available. Compare the prices charged for car rental at Gatwick, for instance, to gain a realistic picture of how much of your overall holiday budget you`ll need to put aside for getting around while you`re here.
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