TangOsud
Tourism in Hérault
Tourism during the festival
Let the wings of tango carry you through the thousand scents and flavors of the region, delighting both the eyes and the taste buds. Here we suggest a selection of remarkable sites located within one hour of Montpellier and Fabrègues, without forgetting the region’s gastronomic heritage—essential to give you the energy to dance all night long: regional wines, tielles from Sète, oysters from Bouzigues, cherries from the Jaur Valley, pâtés from Pézenas, pélardons from the Cevennes, and more.
Montpellier
Founded ten centuries ago, the city of Montpellier was once the second city in France and an important economic and cultural capital. Its magnificent historic fountains, medieval alleyways, and 17th- and 18th-century private mansions will enchant you.
The Val de Gellone
The Val de Gellone is a stone sanctuary with vertiginous cliffs where thyme, oak, and pine cling to the rock. At its heart lies the legendary town of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, nestled for twelve centuries under the sun, its ancient streets stretching through time. This major heritage site is one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France, and its abbey is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France.
Pic Saint Loup
Located on the border of Valflaunès and Cazevielle, Pic Saint-Loup is visible from much of the Hérault department, the coastline, and the Gard. Together with the Hortus mountain facing it to the north, it forms a protected natural site that is home to numerous birds of prey. From the top of this sharp ridge, Pic Saint-Loup stands up to the elements. A large iron cross, an observation post, and the chapel of a former hermitage stand at its summit.
Aigues-Mortes and Its Salt Marshes
In the heart of the wetlands, Aigues-Mortes is a town surrounded by thick ramparts, remnants of its crusader and Templar past. Today it has become a seaside tourist destination rich in cultural, historical, gastronomic, and wine heritage. Its bullfighting traditions and unique environment make the Camargue an incomparable place. Its once-active port has given way to the Salins du Midi, which supply half of France’s salt reserves.
The Beaches
Nothing beats dipping your feet in the sea before dancing at the milonga in the evening! From Montpellier, the beach is just 30 minutes away. At Carnon and Palavas, you will find lively seaside resorts with shops and restaurants, while Petit Travers and Grand Travers offer a more natural, unspoiled beach experience.
Salagou Lake
In the highlands of the Hérault, the Salagou Valley reveals unique landscapes. For over 40 years, thanks to human intervention, Lake Salagou has blended the deep blue of its waters with the scarlet folds of the ruffes, a rock formation dating back 250 million years.
The Camargue
Shaped over centuries by the Rhône River, the Camargue delta is a stronghold of Provençal culture and a remarkable natural area of exceptional quality: biological richness, diverse fauna and flora, varied landscapes, and distinctive agricultural activities. More than half of Europe’s 660 bird species can be seen in the Camargue. Among them, you cannot miss the colonies of pink flamingos, colored by the tiny shrimp on which they feed.
The Grotte des Demoiselles
The Grotte des Demoiselles served as a refuge for the Camisards during the Wars of Religion and later sheltered refractory priests during the Revolution and the Reign of Terror. It has inspired many tales and legends of Languedoc, particularly that of Jean the shepherd, who fell into the cave while searching for a lost sheep. After managing to return to his village, he claimed he had seen thousands of fairies dancing around him. Hence its Occitan name, “Bauma de las fadas, de las damaiselas”, meaning “Cave of the Fairies” or “Cave of the Maidens.
