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Mourèze

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Hérault

Mourèze - Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Hérault
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Mourèze is a commune in the Hérault department, in the Occitanie region, 22 km south of Lodève, by road.

Its territory of 13 km² ranges from 160 to 537 m in altitude, crossed below the village by the course of the Dourbie, and several streams on its "northern" part.

Covered with forests (60% of its area) and natural environments with little or no vegetation (25%), the locality is famous for the vast dolomitic circus which gave it its name, and which, over the millennia, due to erosion, has composed a landscape dotted with "ruins" and spectacular rock sculptures ("pinnacles" as they say in geology). This set evokes a form of chaos and the landscapes of westerns shot in rugged deserts…

Nowadays, this site attracts many tourists. But during prehistory, men found refuge there, before, in the Middle Ages and then during the Old Regime, the village was formed and pastoralism and the exploitation of forests developed.

As for the cirque of Mourèze, excavated in the 19th century, it only became an economic and tourist asset in the 20th century, especially since it is located just a few km from Lake Salagou, to the north.

If the town has only nearly 200 inhabitants, it has become essential during a stay in the region!

Geographical information

MunicipalityMourèze
Postcode34800
Tourism label
Latitude43.6164900 (N 43° 36’ 59”)
Longitude3.3499150 (E 3° 20’ 60”)
AltitudeFrom 160m to 537m
Surface area13.44 km²
Population220 inhabitants
Density16 inhabitants/km²
PrefectureMontpellier (54 km, 52 min)
Insee code34175
IntercommunalityCC du Clermontais
DepartmentHérault
TerritoryLanguedoc-Roussillon
RegionOccitanie

Nearest cities & towns

Salasc2.9 km (4 min)
Villeneuvette5.3 km (8 min)
Mérifons7.7 km (12 min)
Clermont-l'Hérault8.5 km (13 min)
Octon8.5 km (16 min)
Lieuran-Cabrières8.6 km (13 min)
Valmascle9.2 km (14 min)
Cabrières9.7 km (13 min)
Liausson10.1 km (15 min)
Péret10.8 km (18 min)
Nébian10.8 km (16 min)
Celles11.4 km (19 min)
Lacoste11.8 km (18 min)
Aspiran11.9 km (19 min)
Brignac12.2 km (17 min)

Things to see and do

In terms of historical and built heritage, the parish church of Sainte-Marie attracts attention in the small town. Protected as historical monuments, it dates from the Romanesque period (gateway and part of the walls from the 12th century) then was remodeled in a Gothic style in the 14th century (enlargement of the nave and the choir). Built in sandstone and cut stone, the church has an imposing bell tower, three levels high, reminiscent of a dungeon: in fact, it was integrated into the defensive system of the village in feudal times. Later, the church was also affected during the Wars of Religion.

To see again during a marked walk (departure from the car park) and dedicated to heritage, the remains of the medieval castle, a fountain in Morello cherry marble, the old communal oven, but also near the town hall an astonishing table marble altar from the 7th century having been integrated into the facade of a house in the 19th century... Finally, a stopover is essential at the war memorial of the Bir-Hakeim maquis, formed in the Cévennes and which was fixed at Mourèze and in its surroundings in 1944. The resistants of this maquis participated in the liberation of Montpellier at the end of August 1944 and 105 of its men in total sacrificed their lives.

Then head north of the locality and the Mourèze circus, which extends over some 300 hectares. Its western decor and its amazingly shaped rocks (which have been baptized: the monkey, the lion, the damsel, the sphynx, Cyrano, etc.) constitute both a lunar labyrinth and a life-size geology lesson.

The unique site in France can be discovered via marked trails that can be followed by a family audience (children will be particularly delighted). It can also be observed from a natural belvedere, the Parc des Courtinals, which is in a way a gateway to the circus: an orientation table has been installed there.

The circus and the park are accessible on foot from the village where paid parking (3 euros) is available.

Other marked hiking trails have been laid out (but nevertheless require some experience) leading to Mont Liausson, to the northeast of the village and the circus, at an altitude of 523 m. You can enjoy a panoramic view of Lake Salagou.

Other loops, of varying distances, follow the course of the Dourbie or reach Clermont-l'Hérault.

For the trails dedicated to the discovery of heritage, the Mourèze circus and the Courtinals park like other larger hikes, maps and information on +33 4 67 96 23 86.

Events and festivities

At the end of July, over four days, festival in the natural setting of the Courtinals park with concerts, plays, exhibitions.

"Habiter le Monde / la Nature"

Photos

The circus of Mourèze
The circus of Mourèze
See photo
The village
The village
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Free rein to his imagination
Free rein to his imagination
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The village seen from the circus
The village seen from the circus
See photo
His sculptures
His sculptures
See photo
Mourèze has humor!
Mourèze has humor!
See photo

Weather

Tuesday 19 march
Min. 8°C - Max. 22°C
Day
Night
Wednesday 20 march
Min. 10°C - Max. 17°C
Day
Night
Thursday 21 march
Min. 9°C - Max. 21°C
Day
Night

Visits, leisure and activities nearby

Leisure activities

Last nameActivity typeRateCity
Wine-themed quad bike ride
Nature and the great outdoors155 € to 215 € Lacoste (7.6 km)
Quad discovery trek at Lake Salagou
Entertainment130 € to 165 € Lacoste (7.7 km)
Canyoning in the Devil's Canyon in the Hérault Gorges
Sports sensations45 € Saint-André-de-Sangonis (13.4 km)
Ride on a restored Peugeot 103 moped
Entertainment40 € Faugères (15.3 km)
Canyoning in Hérault with a qualified instructor
Sports sensations40 € to 45 € Saint-Jean-de-Fos (19.4 km)

Outings

Last nameOuting typeDifficultyDurationDeparture municipality
Hiking the Béals trail
HikeEasy1:30Salasc (2.7 km)
Around the royal manufacture of Villeneuvette
Village visitEasy1:00Péret (4.1 km)
Crests Vissou
HikeIntermediate4:00Péret (4.9 km)
Volcanic balconies
HikeIntermediate3:00Lieuran-Cabrières (6.4 km)
The scrubland Trail
HikeIntermediate2:00Péret (6.7 km)

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Campsites

Hotels

Your holidays
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