The best MTB trails around Saint-Bauzille-De-La-Sylve

A beautiful east-west crossing of the causse d'Aumelas, between Vendémian and the Saint-Martin-du-Cardonnet chapel.

It is hard to imagine, when discovering this small chapel isolated in the garrigue, all the history hidden behind its walls. Built in the 12th century on a Gallo-Roman site, it was once the heart of a priory and served the populations living in the scattered farmhouses of the causse d'Aumelas. The site also experienced the clashes of the Wars of Religion. A local history published in 1899, titled "La fédération des quatre mas," even reports an episode of reconciliation between Catholics and Protestants in this chapel. Today classified as a historical monument, it remains there, discreet and almost timeless.

Dominating the causse from the edge of a plateau, the Castellas d’Aumelas is one of the great medieval sites of the Hérault. Mentioned as early as 1036, the castle passed to the viscounts of Béziers at the end of the 10th century, then depended on the kings of Majorca and finally on the king of France. It was dismantled by royal troops in 1622. What remains is a set of ruins: a keep and chapel, a double enclosure and remains of the old village, with the Notre-Dame church. The site has been protected as a historical monument since 1986 and classified since 1989. The visit is free and open to the public, and the site offers beautiful viewpoints over the garrigue and the surrounding hills.

Dominating the causse from the edge of a plateau, the Castellas d'Aumelas is one of the great medieval sites of the Hérault. Mentioned as early as 1036, the castle passed to the viscounts of Béziers at the end of the 10th century, then depended on the kings of Majorca and finally on the king of France. It was dismantled by royal troops in 1622. What remains is a set of ruins: keep and chapel, double enclosure and vestiges of the old village, with the Notre-Dame church. The site has been protected as a historical monument since 1986 and classified since 1989. The visit is free and open to the public, and the site offers beautiful views of the garrigue and the surrounding hills.

Set on the Télégraphe plateau, the Faucon viewpoint offers an expansive view over the Hérault valley. Vineyards and villages occupy the foreground, while the mountains of the Hérault hinterland take shape on the horizon. Notable features include the pic de Vissou, whose silhouette evokes a tooth, and the mountain of Liausson, whose characteristic hump dominates the Lac du Salagou, with Clermont-l’Hérault in the foreground. Further away, the plateaus of Caroux, Espinouse, and Escandorgue, as well as the roc des Deux Vierges, come into view. Mont Saint-Baudille also stands out within the Séranne range, which marks the southern edge of the Massif Central. An orientation table helps to identify the main landmarks of this vast landscape.

Superb route. But can one always pass between the Château d'Aumelas and the Rouvière plain???

easy walk with child

Beautiful walk along the shores of Lac d'Aniane and the old railway line