Saint Guilhem le desert the most beautiful village in France

Saint Guilhem: Grand Site de France and a must-see in the Hérault region

Originally from Tarbes and living in Montpellier for a few years, I never really took the time to discover the region. It was when my family came to see me on holiday that I decided to fix it. Here I am, not far from Montpellier, about thirty minutes to discover one of the great site of the Herault, the gorges of Herault and the village of St Guilhem Le Desert.

My first day outside Montpellier and my first impressions of Hérault

To get there, we go through the villages of Gignac and Aniane before joining the Pont du diable. A beautiful bridge, a beautiful beach for relaxation, a funny legend and especially a magnificent view of the Gorges de l'Herault.
Also to be noted, the tower of the prisons or the castle of the giant are at 2 steps of the village of Saint Guilhem, one can make the path in going and return for example.
I was amazed at first sight. A few minutes later, arriving in the village, ditto, pleasantly surprised, it is really a rare pearl to visit!
Ranked among the most beautiful villages of France, Saint Guilhem le desert is also a spiritual step on the way to Santiago de Compostela.

Saint Guilhem le Desert, a feast for the eyes

Stone houses, windows decorated with planters, small narrow streets and secret passages, small warm gardens... This charming little medieval village has an intimate setting that is worth it to be unique. It is a village where you feel good, the atmosphere is peaceful. A place with restaurants, cafes and bars allows you to eat while enjoying the unique setting of St Guilhem le desert.

In the heart of Languedoc, gateway to the territory of the Herault valley, the tourist office welcomes you to the Gorges de l'Herault

We walk in charming alleys that look like Antan. I found lovely little shops of local artisans. The inhabitants are just like the village, just as charming.
St Guilhem-le-désert is also the Abbey of Gellone. The visit of the abbey is free and the story of Gellone and its cloister is told.

Unique and full of history, I loved to walk in St Guilhem-le-Désert. Between authenticity and splendor, St Guilhem-le-désert delighted me.
Change of scenery guaranteed!
I did not have time to visit Clamouse Cave nearby, but everyone told me the greatest good.

How to get to Saint Guilhem Le Desert ?

✅ To visit Saint Guilhem, you'll need a car and a 30-minute drive from Montpellier. There is a bus service, but the timetables are not suitable.

If you don't have a car, Wisud offers tours from Montpellier, in small groups, let yourself be guided and enjoy your visit of Saint Guilhem Le Desert.

If you would like a pick-up from your hotel and a private tour, this is also possible on request and subject to availability.

How long to visit saint-guilhem-le-désert ?

If you just want to visit the village, you'll need at least 1 hour, but there's so much to do and see that you can spend the whole day there without getting bored for a second. I'd say that 2 hours is fine if you don't have a lot of time, but if you like shopping, having a drink or observing nature on the outskirts of the village, you're better off spending half a day.

Where to swim in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert?

For swimming, the Devil Bridge is a really great place to go with your family or friends. There are rocks for diving and in summer you can hire paddles or canoes.
For those who are more inquisitive, adventurous or comfortable on the rocks, head upstream to find the spot of your dreams. However, it's not easy to find places to park a car. Walking is often the best way to find heavenly spots.

Discover Saint Guilhem Le Désert on video: