The Most Beautiful Villages in France: what to do in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert on the Compostelle Way?

Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is one of the most visited villages in France in the Occitanie region. Located in the heart of the Grand Site de France des Gorges de l'Hérault, this medieval village is a stopover on the historic pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. What is the history of the place, its heritage and above all, what are the must-do activities if you stay a few days in this little corner of paradise in theHérault ? Follow the guide!

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Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, a medieval village in the heart of a wild nature

Walking around Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, who can imagine that this small village of 250 inhabitants was home to nearly 1000 in 1806? A haven of peace in the heart of the Hérault valley, the architecture of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert bears witness to the long history of the village. During the Middle Ages, the faithful, crusaders and pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela came to pray before a piece of the True Cross of Christ, offered by Charlemagne to the Count of Toulouse and Duke of Aquitaine, Saint Guillaume(Guilhèm in the langue d'oc), at the time of the foundation of the abbey in 804. Although the abbey has now partly disappeared, the abbey church, a jewel of Romanesque art, has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It will not have escaped your attention that Saint Guilhem is not a desert. The legendary town, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, owes its name to the fact that it was built in the Gellone valley, a place far from any population, situated in the middle of nature. A delight for lovers of beautiful landscapes and hikers!

The legendary Pont Neuf of Saint-Guilhem le Désert spans the Hérault gorges.

What to see and visit in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert?

Heart of the village : First of all, stroll through the magnificent medieval streets of the village. Stone walls covered with climbing plants, arcades of the old 17th century covered market, craft shops, vegetable gardens, the village's rich heritage invites you to get lost... On the charming main square (Place de la Liberté), a plane tree over 150 years old stands.
Gellone Abbey: This 9th century Romanesque building is undoubtedly the precious pearl of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. And for good reason, it is around this sacred space that the village was built. The abbey houses two relics: an ossuary containing the relics of Saint-Guilhem and a piece of the Holy Cross of Christ. From the cloister of the abbey, don't miss a short tour of the abbey museum, to discover the collection of Romanesque and Gothic sculptures and a film presenting the history of the abbey and its reconstruction.
Musée d'Antan: Jacques and Hélène Prouget invite you to a 12th century house of human-sized santons. An impressive panorama of 11,000 hours of work, gives a better understanding of the former economic life of the village of Saint Guilhem le Désert.

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What to do around Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert?

Only 3 kilometres from Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, the Pont du Diable (Devil's Bridge), from which some locals and holidaymakers dare to jump, is one of the most popular swimming spots in the Héraut Gorges. However, popular with tourists during the summer season, you will easily find other quieter spots such as the Gorges d'Héric if you wish. Less than 3km away, don't miss the Grotte de Clamouse. Located in Saint Jean de Fos, it is one of the most beautiful caves in the department. Take the opportunity to visit Argileum, the house of pottery set up in an authentic 19th century workshop. This is an opportunity to discover the captivating history of ceramics, an ancestral tradition of the village. And why not try your hand at the art of pottery in a workshop?

Finally, you should know that the Ganges route offers a whole host of swimming and water sports activities such as canoeing, canyoning and paddle boarding. If you drive a little further (41km), you can reach the Salagou lake, which offers not only a magnificent landscape, but also a great geological wealth. It is one of the few places in the world where you can see the remains of four geological eras in one place! And after this dive into nature you feel the call of the city, know that Montpellier is only 35 km to the south east!

Find out more about Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert in the official guide Les Plus Beaux Villages de France!

The guide. The Most Beautiful Villages in France

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