Labeled among the most beautiful villages of France, Olargues unfolds its charms to seduce you. And there is no shortage of assets. Almost entirely surrounded by the Jaur, the village curls up on a rocky plateau to better control the magnificent valley that stretches at its feet. The pigmented landscape of chestnut and cherry trees adjoining the vines blossoms under the sun. The medieval city has preserved all its cachet of yesteryear and invites you to catch your breath in a magnificent setting where nature and medieval architecture mingle wonderfully. It nestles in the heart of the Regional Natural Park of Haut-Languedoc, at the foot of the massif of Espinouse. History tells us that the village was born in its fortified form in the twelfth century with the construction of the feudal castle. The surrounding walls were erected in the 13th century. The city, several times besieged, resisted as well as possible the assaults until the destruction of the citadel on the orders of Richelieu. Rural territory, the municipality has established itself in the economic fabric thanks to its well-known fairs.
It is a pretty stroll loaded with history that awaits you at Olargues. From its castle overlooking the valley, it remains today, a bell tower. She will visit you and will let you discover a splendid panorama on the massif of Caroux. Fortifications remain a gateway to the twelfth century. Going up the cobbled streets of the village, you can admire many half-timbered houses dating from the 13th, 15th and 16th centuries. You will then pass by the staircase of the Commanderie. This picturesque staircase is under gallery and leads to the Museum of Art and Popular Tradition. There, a beautiful collection telling the history of the village awaits you. Later, the walk continues with a visit to the chapel of Saint-Etienne. Two other religious buildings are also to be seen on the town: the Saint-Martin-des-Œufs rural chapel and the Saint-Laurent church dating from 1688. You can also admire the old seigneurial mill and pass by the famous Diable bridge Dating from the 12th century. Olargues can be visited solo with an interactive map or guided tours in July and August. Guided tours are available throughout the year on request.
The surrounding nature invites to sport nature. Hiking is on the program of your stay. Several routes are proposed and one of them will lead you to the Peiro Escrito, a cave painting dating from the Bronze Age. Mountain biking is also on the agenda with numerous marked trails allowing beginners and experienced mountain bikers to practice their favorite sport. Discover the basement of the region in Cebenna center during 3D projection as if you had really gone to caving.
In April, athletes are expected to Olargues for the Radon Bikes Epic Enduro. The mountain bikers will therefore compete on different courses day and night to the delight of fans of the genre. Do not miss this exceptional event that brings together nearly 550 participants each year.
In the month of April, the Caroux Outdoor always puts nature sports in the spotlight. Numerous workshops for young and old await you in order to make you discover the different nature sports that you can practice in the region.
In May, it is the Mai festival that Mai invades the streets of Olargues. It is therefore a torchlight hike that awaits you, during which tales and music will ensure the atmosphere. You will also have the opportunity to participate in the wheelbarrow party and the gardener.
During the summer, Moments d'Orgues invites music lovers to attend exceptional concerts. In August, Olargues hosts Festibaloche, a festival of traditional music.
On August 15, you can go shopping at the organic market that settles for a day on the town.
Stage de Peinture - Nature Morte
- From 23 to 24 march 2024
- Rue de la Place
- Would you like to learn to paint, or improve and diversify your technique ? This workshop is for you ! - Els Knockaert welcomes beginners and experienced painters to her studio. - You'll be introduced to a variety of techniques and materials, and learn to draw and paint with a live model. - Els teaches small groups of up to five people. - It's an intense experience that allows you to go home with a finished painting after two exciting days.
Stage de Peinture - Nature Morte
- From 23 to 24 march 2024
- Rue de la Place
- Would you like to learn to paint, or improve and diversify your technique ? This workshop is for you ! - Els Knockaert welcomes beginners and experienced painters to her studio. - You'll be introduced to a variety of techniques and materials, and learn to draw and paint with a live model. - Els teaches small groups of up to five people. - It's an intense experience that allows you to go home with a finished painting after two exciting days.
Balade Cueillette : Saveurs Sauvages !
- On 23 march 2024
- Avenue du Champ des Horts
- It's spring, free the botanist in you ! - Learn how to recognize some wild edible plants, how to harvest them in the right way and how to avoid the traps of some assassins. Treat your taste buds to a gathering walk and a culinary workshop. Taste discoveries guaranteed !
8ème Raid Epic Enduro vtt
- On 31 march 2024
- Centre du village
- As in enduro racing, some sections are timed. - The Raid Epic Enduro, organized by Vélo Caroux Haut-Languedoc, is supported by the town of Olargues, the Hérault department and Hérault Sport. It takes place on Sunday, March 31. - The organization of a Kid race (11-15 year-olds) is also on the agenda, with the aim of creating a desire and emulation among the valley ? S young riders, with the participation of youngsters from the Sports Nature section of the Olargues secondary school, the mountain bike section of the Labastide Rouairoux secondary school, as well as local mountain bike clubs : 4X Combes, Saint-Chinian and Albine. - Timetable : raid epic enduro : between 4 a.m. and 5.30 a.m., riders will set off from the central paddock towards the first link in 3 or 4 separate waves. - Epic naudech kid : at 11 a.m. in the start area
Journee Retraite & Meditation
- On 6 april 2024
- The self-knowledge Socrates speaks of is not an accumulation of ideas about who we are. It's a direct contact with our innermost nature. - When the mind is still, not absorbed by external perceptions, not inwardly stimulated by thought, there remains a deep sense of being present. And this sensation of being present has a taste, it is perceptible and recognizable. Although empty of all mental constructs, of all mental activity, it is a full, remarkable sensation. This is "being present", or "just being". - When we experience this state of emptiness, this "mode of being" that doesn't depend on what we've become over time, that doesn't depend on our constructions, we know it's an authentic, primordial experience. This experience of "just being", without being anyone, was already the same when we were children. - During these three one-day retreats, we will understand and experience this "knowing of the Self", as it is called by various spiritual traditions. We'll learn to "let be" emptiness, i.e. to let go of everything that activates the mind, rather than trying to "make emptiness". And we'll see how this knowledge can be useful in our lives, where it fits in and how it can be better integrated. - Each retreat will address this theme from a specific angle. So you can sign up for the whole cycle, or just one or two. - Dharma Nature ? S One-Day Retreats establish and consolidate our meditation practice. - For those of you who are new to meditation, this is an opportunity to receive a solid, non-dogmatic introduction. And for those of you who already have a regular practice, these retreats are designed to support you, enabling you to go deeper. - During our retreats, we won't just be doing this in meditation, we'll also be looking at why, and above all, how to integrate these practices into our daily lives, thanks to precise intentions that will be suggested to you after each retreat. - Recordings will enable you to practice at home afterwards.
Stage de Peinture - Portrait
- From 18 to 19 april 2024
- Rue de la Place
- Would you like to learn to paint, or improve and diversify your technique ? This workshop is for you ! - Els Knockaert welcomes beginners and experienced painters to her studio. - You'll be introduced to a variety of techniques and materials, and learn to draw and paint with a live model. - Els teaches small groups of up to five people. - It's an intense experience that allows you to go home with a finished painting after two exciting days. - Portrait workshop : - Over 2 days from 9.30am to 5.30pm Els offers an introduction to portraiture (proportions, perspective ?) and the various techniques of expression (oil, watercolor, acrylic, knife ?.). - 1st day : - morning : sketching from a live model. - Afternoon : exploration of different techniques. Particular attention paid to the rendering of backgrounds (mixed-media technique). - Day 2 : - Portrait painting in oil on canvas, based on knowledge acquired the previous day.
Stage de Peinture - Paysage
- From 18 to 19 may 2024
- Rue de la Place
- Would you like to learn to paint, or improve and diversify your technique ? This workshop is for you ! - Els Knockaert welcomes beginners and experienced painters to her studio. - You'll be introduced to a variety of techniques and materials, and learn to draw and paint with a live model. - Els teaches small groups of up to five people. - It's an intense experience that allows you to go home with a finished painting after two exciting days. - Landscape course : - Over 2 days from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm Els offers an introduction to landscape painting (proportions, perspective ?) and the various techniques of expression (oil, watercolor, acrylic, knife ?.). - 1st day : - morning : outdoor sketching. - Afternoon : exploration of different techniques. Particular attention paid to the rendering of backgrounds (mixed-media technique). - 2nd day : - Oil-on-canvas portraiture, based on knowledge acquired the previous day.
Stage de Peinture - Portrait
- From 30 to 31 may 2024
- Rue de la Place
- Would you like to learn to paint, or improve and diversify your technique ? This workshop is for you ! - Els Knockaert welcomes beginners and experienced painters to her studio. - You'll be introduced to a variety of techniques and materials, and learn to draw and paint with a live model. - Els teaches small groups of up to five people. - It's an intense experience that allows you to go home with a finished painting after two exciting days. - Portrait workshop : - Over 2 days from 9.30am to 5.30pm Els offers an introduction to portraiture (proportions, perspective ?) and the various techniques of expression (oil, watercolor, acrylic, knife ?.). - 1st day : - morning : sketching from a live model. - Afternoon : exploration of different techniques. Particular attention paid to the rendering of backgrounds (mixed-media technique). - Day 2 : - Portrait painting in oil on canvas, based on knowledge acquired the previous day.
Stage de Peinture - Paysage
- From 8 to 9 june 2024
- Rue de la Place
- Would you like to learn to paint, or improve and diversify your technique ? This workshop is for you ! - Els Knockaert welcomes beginners and experienced painters to her studio. - You'll be introduced to a variety of techniques and materials, and learn to draw and paint with a live model. - Els teaches small groups of up to five people. - It's an intense experience that allows you to go home with a finished painting after two exciting days. - Landscape course : - Over 2 days from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm Els offers an introduction to landscape painting (proportions, perspective ?) and the various techniques of expression (oil, watercolor, acrylic, knife ?.). - 1st day : - morning : outdoor sketching. - Afternoon : exploration of different techniques. Particular attention paid to the rendering of backgrounds (mixed-media technique). - 2nd day : - Oil-on-canvas portraiture, based on knowledge acquired the previous day.