Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is a small medieval village nestled in the mountains, in the picturesque valley of the Hérault River.
The village owes its fame to the abbey founded by Saint Guilhem in 806 AD, and today, it proudly bears many titles: the jewel of Romanesque architecture, a member of the association Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (The Most Beautiful Villages of France), and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The heart of the village is the ancient Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Guilhem, built in the romanesque style and named after its founder, Guilhem de Gellone. Guilhem de Gellone, also known as Saint Guilhem or William of Orange, was a cousin of Charlemagne, the founder of the Carolingian dynasty, and a distinguished military commander of his time. He participated in the capture of Nîmes, Narbonne, Barcelona, and Orange, earning numerous titles. In particular, from 790 to 806, he served as the Count of Toulouse.
In his later years, Guilhem realized that his true vocation was to serve God. At the age of 54, he founded the Abbey of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert in a quiet area of Gellone, surrounded by mountains, taking the name Guilhem de Gellone. In 806, he retired there, seeking refuge from social life. Remarkably, he did not head the monastery but lived there as a simple monk. Guilhem died in 812, and in 1066, he was canonized by the Church.
And for 12 centuries now, this magical place, a green oasis in the heart of the Hérault Gorge, has served as a heaven for monks, pilgrims, travelers, and today tourists who wish to experience the true spirit of the Middle Ages.
Cozy cobblestone streets of the village lined with stone houses, charming balconies covered with ivy and flowers, colorful doors that seem to lead into a fairy tale, tiny squares with fountains where fluffy cats bask lazily in the southern sun – all this creates a unique atmosphere where visitors can forget reality and fully immerse themselves in the history of this fascinating place.
Inside the abbey walls, visitors can still see an extraordinary relic — a fragment of the Holy Cross that has miraculously survived centuries of plundering. Pilgrims, as they have for hundreds of years, continue to visit this sacred artifact as they journey along the famous Saint James way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
On your way to the abbey, you will encounter another treasure of this area — the Pont du Diable (Devil’s Bridge). This is one of the oldest medieval bridges in southern France. For more than 1000 years the bridge has withstood the rushing waters of the Hérault River, providing passage between the hills and the valley for pilgrims who have used it since ancient times as part of their route to Santiago de Compostela.
The bridge, like the abbey, was built in the Romanesque style in the 11th century, around 1028, by the monks from two neighboring abbeys: the Abbey of Gellone in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and the Benedictine Abbey in Aniane.
The bridge spans approximately 50 meters, with a simple yet durable design featuring two main arches and two side arches, allowing it to withstand centuries despite the flooding of the river and the passage of time.
An ancient legend is associated with the bridge which gave it its name. According to the story, the monks struggled to complete the bridge as the raging river repeatedly destroyed their work. Then, the abbot of one of the abbeys made a pact with the Devil: the Devil would no longer interfere with the construction, but in return would claim the soul of the first being who crossed the bridge.
When the bridge was finally completed, the monks tricked the Devil by sending a dog across first. Enraged by the deception, the Devil leapt into the river, and since then, the bridge has never been destroyed. The rushing waters of the Hérault River, according to the legend, are a manifestation of the Devil’s wrath.
To conclude, these remarkable places are steeped in beautiful legends.
Come to visit, and together we will discover their secrets.
Prices:
Full Tour: Includes a guided visit to Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, the Devil’s Bridge, a walk along the river, and lunch at a local restaurant (6 hours) — €500 (1-4 people).
Sightseeing Tour: Includes a guided visit to Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and lunch (3 hours) — €250.
Entrance tickets to the abbey, museums, lunch, and wine tastings are not included in the tour price and should be paid separately.
Starting Point:
at the parking lot in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert.
