Vélieux is a commune in the Hérault department, in the Occitanie region, 7 km north of Minerve.
Its 10 km² territory ranges from 213 to 675 m above sea level, crossed by several rivers and including several protected sites. Belonging to the natural region of Minervois, between sea and mountains, it occupies a transition space between the wine-growing plain and the reliefs announcing the southern part of the Massif Central to the northeast and the Montagne Noire to the north.
The locality has preserved green landscapes, covered with forests (64% of its surface area), natural grassy and scrubland environments (24%) and agricultural areas (10%).
Made up of a small town and a few hamlets, Vélieux, which today has nearly a hundred inhabitants, was already a place of passage during Roman Antiquity. The village then developed after the year 1000 but remained modest. Its inhabitants have long cultivated vines, and now, sheep pastoralism helps to “maintain” the landscapes. Near the famous village of Minerve, "green" tourism is flourishing there (hiking, gîte village, etc.). A destination to recommend to lovers of authenticity and calm...
In the small town and the various hamlets, several heritage sites are to be observed.
On Vélieux itself, the Saint-Martin parish church dates from the 17th century and has been remodeled several times. It consists of a single nave of modest size (12 m by 4 m), with a pointed vault whose double arches form three bays. To the north, we notice a side chapel dedicated to Saint Joseph (a statue of which occupies a niche on the altar). On the other side, to the south, a chapel is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, as evidenced by a white marble statue. Finally, we note that the nave opens to the east onto a slightly recessed choir, semi-circular in shape. A small window was pierced there during the last major restoration, in 1996. During this work, wall paintings were brought to light, hidden by a covering installed in the 19th century...
Again in 1996, was carried out a fresco by the artist David Pons on the west wall of the nave. It represents the "Divine Revelation" of Jean-Rémi Bessieux (1803-1876), native of Roman road, to the north-east of the village, the remains of the "old church", the first place of worship in the parish, mentioned in the 12th century, are still visible. It was a Romanesque church and the building was surrounded by a cemetery.
To the north of the village of Vélieux, on the course of the Rieussec, to see next, the Trédos mill, which was in service until the aftermath of the Second War. The building, subsequently remodeled, was already mentioned in the 17th century.
Also worth mentioning are the ruins of the sheepfolds of the Champ de Revel known as "Contadis", to the east of the town, in reference to Arnaud de Contadis, a magistrate from Narbonne, lord of these lands in the 16th century.
Numerous sources also allowed the development of fountains, drinking troughs and wash houses. This is the case in the hamlet of Lacan, in the east of the territory, which after years of restoration has become a real "village of gîtes" also welcoming receptions and seminars (information on +33 4 67 97 17 14).
Some of these sites can mark out one of the many marked hiking trails in the area, or crossing it.
Let us mention the path "In the footsteps of the Romans" (5 km) which follows routes popular since Antiquity and allows you to understand the promontory of), the routes dedicated to the Brian gorges (to the west and south), but also the GR 77 (more than 80 m long and linking Saut de Vézoles in Hérault to Signal de l'Alaric, in Aude): it crosses Vélieux from north to south.
On or from as for mountain bikers and horse riders.
Of course, a hike also allows you to reach Minerve, to the south, a member of the association of the Most Beautiful Villages of France.
Maps and information for hikers from the intercommunal tourist office on +33 4 67 97 06 65.
It is also advisable to contact the Maison du Parc Naturel Régional du Haut-Languedoc of which the commune is a member and which offers exhibitions, activities, workshops, thematic hikes all year round, etc. Contact +33 4 67 97 38 22.
