The best traffic-free bike rides around Montagnac

This medieval village, which appeared in the 11th century, had a strategic position, perched above the Hérault valley. Even today, its castle, fortifications, and towers give it a military appearance.

In the heart of old Florensac, the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church preserves the side chapels of the former Romanesque church. The current building was partially rebuilt in the 15th century, then remodeled in the 17th century after the destruction of the Wars of Religion. Above all, you must look around: the narrow alleys and old houses from the 15th to the 18th centuries correspond to the old heart of the fortified village. The medieval enclosure had four gates; the Porte d'Agde, still visible, is one of the last remaining examples. On this square, there is also a stone cross that was once located on the edge of the Via Domitia. Moved in 1997, it serves as a reminder that Florensac lies in an area traversed by important traffic routes since Antiquity.

Amidst the vineyards, the Saint-Jean-de-Bébian priory tells nearly a thousand years of history between religious heritage and wine culture. Occupied since the Gallo-Roman era, this terroir was then shaped by the religious who developed a priory there and cultivated the vine from the Middle Ages. After the French Revolution, the estate became private property before experiencing a new renaissance in the 20th century, participating in the revival of the great wines of Languedoc. Around the old chapel and the historic buildings, the landscape recalls that the vine is not just an agricultural activity: here it is the heir to a long human history. There is a starred restaurant.

A few steps from the Saint-Saturnin church, this small sector between the place du Quai and the rue Venel reveals a more intimate face of Tourbes! Narrow alleys, old facades, exposed stones bear witness to a habitat built over the centuries.

The cooperative winery of Alignan-du-Vent bears witness to wine history. Created in 1936 under the name "Les Vignerons d'Alignan-du-Vent", it was born in a difficult context for small producers, facing the wine market crisis and the need to unite to better promote their harvest.

Pézenas is not just about Molière, even though the playwright stayed there several times between 1650 and 1656 under the protection of the prince de Conti. The city was for a long time one of the most influential in Languedoc: the States of Languedoc met there regularly, and Louis XIII, Richelieu, or the prince de Conti stayed there. While strolling through the narrow streets, keep your eyes open: many doors still retain their original knockers and ironwork, testaments to the skill of Pézenas artisans. A tradition that is perpetuated today by the Musée de la Porte et de la Ferronnerie, unique in France. Finally, one last curiosity: the famous Maison de Molière should not be misleading. Despite its name, there is nothing to confirm that the playwright lived there. Local tradition rather holds that he liked to settle in the barber Gély's shop, where he observed the inhabitants and their foibles, a source of inspiration that is said to have fueled several of his future characters.

The Saint-Saturnin church bears witness to over a thousand years of history. Mentioned as early as 990 in the archives of the chapter of Béziers, it was then a priory dependent on the bishopric. Rebuilt in the first half of the 14th century, it was partly destroyed during the Wars of Religion before being rebuilt from 1605 onwards with the materials of the old building. The current church retains the spirit of the southern Gothic style, with a single nave vaulted with ogives and a sober architecture adapted to the traditions of Bas-Languedoc. Its bell tower and imposing volumes recall the importance that the village of Tourbes once had in the territory of the Hérault valley. Classified as a Historical Monument, it is one of the main witnesses to the village's heritage.

This place marks one of the main entrances to the old town of Pézenas. The International Toy Museum, housed in a former forge, displays more than 6,000 toys from Europe, America, and Asia. Right next door, the Tourist Office building also houses the Centre for Architecture and Heritage Interpretation (CIAP), a free exhibition that helps you understand the history of Pézenas. Between the two stood the former Saint-Christol gate, one of the five large fortified gates of the medieval walls of Pézenas. As you take Rue Montmorency, imagine passing under the arch to go directly into the historic heart of the city!