The Grand Site Of France

Within this area, where the hills of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert join the Hérault Gorges and Languedoc Piemont (the vast agricultural zone characterised by vineyards and olive groves) you can see remarkable landscapes and architecture. You will not only find the famous medieval village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, but also the famous Pont du Diable (Devil’s bridge) on the Herault and the classified Clamouse caves...

Being a popular tourist destination frequented every year by 650-700 000 visitors, the local authorities decided, to set up a 'Classified Site plan’ about twenty years ago to limit the impact of such a large number of visitors and to improve facilities for them.

So each year, the organisation has put in place improvements such as a  welcome centre at the Pont du Diable,  a shuttle system connecting the bridge with the village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert during the summer, and restoration works on the alleys and village,squares, following guidelines for the management of open air activities and care for the countryside.

In 2010, the Hérault Valley municipality, administrators of the Site since 2002, received the accreditation 'Grand site de France' (Classified Site) from the government. A long-term management plan has been put in place to ensure that "Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert – Gorges of Hérault" is a site managed sensitively, being both welcoming for its visitors and protective of its heritage.

You will find many examples of remarkable architecture within this Classified Site, including the Abbey of Gellone and the Pont du Diable, both classified as World Heritage sites by UNESCO in conjunction with the "St James' Way to Santiago de Compostela" in France.