This little village listed on Les Plus Beaux Villages de France ("The most beautiful villages of France"). It is also one of the oldest. In 806, Saint Guilhem, a cousin of Charlemagne, founded the village, and established the monastery of Gellone. The first thing you notice when you approach the village (which is so intriguing on its on- the old stone buildings, the tiny little streets and courtyards) is up above, on this protruding jagged mountain face, the ruins of an old fortress, called le Château du Géant. It was constructed in the 1600s, and served as an excellent look-out to defend the Hérault Valley.
This dried flower stuck on the is called a Cardabelle, and is known in the region as the Barometre du Berger (the Shepherd’s Barometer). It has the special property of opening up when the sun shines and closing shortly before bad weather. It is very particular to this area of France, so it is kind of like a symbol for the village. You see it on every door up and down the streets.
(this is the main street.)
L'Abbaye:
L'eau Potable:
This is one of those villages where there is constantly fresh water flowing everywhere. There are fountains all over the place to fill up your water bottle. This is just a little fresh stream coming from the mountains with stepping stones to cross it.
Dungeons and Dragons! I love buildings in old French cities because there are always little old mysterious nooks and crannies, like this spooky little dungeon I passed by...
This one is for Steve Foley. Look at that balcony, dad. Get buildin'!
This is a nearby river that I was very close to doing a cannon-ball into.
and again, le Château du Géant...
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