Hérault gorges and the Cévennes
From Montpellier to the medieval gorge of Saint-Guilhem, the red shores of Salagou, the Cirque de Navacelles and Mont Aigoual in the Cévennes.
- Distance
- 211 km (131 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 55 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 9
- Countries
- France
- Updated
- August 4, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 211 km (131 mi) with 9 stops, from Montpellier to Anduze. About 2 h 55 min of driving in total.
More road trips in France
Route description
Head north-west from Montpellier on the D986 and D27 towards Aniane, 40 km. The Pont du Diable, an 11th-century bridge, spans the green Hérault gorge; people swim below it in summer. Park at the visitor centre car park, which is paid; from June to September a shuttle runs up the gorge to Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, where cars are not allowed in the village.
Saint-Guilhem is a stone village around the abbey of Gellone, on the Way of St James; come early or late to avoid the crowds. Then drive west past Clermont-l’Hérault to Lac du Salagou, a reservoir set among red earth hills. The shore has beaches and paths, and the Cirque de Mourèze with its dolomite pillars is a few kilometres south.
Climb north onto the Larzac plateau through Lodève and on to the Cirque de Navacelles, a deep abandoned river meander. The belvederes on the rims at Blandas and La Baume Auriol are the main sight. The D130 down to the hamlet is narrow with hairpins; large motorhomes should stay on top. Continue east through Le Vigan, a market town with chestnut groves.
From Le Vigan the D48 climbs to the Col du Minier and on to the observatory on Mont Aigoual, at 1,565 m. Descend to Florac in the Tarn valley, then take the Corniche des Cévennes along the ridges to Saint-Jean-du-Gard and Anduze. The roads are narrow and winding throughout; allow plenty of time and watch for logging trucks.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Montpellier
France - 235 km
Pont du Diable, Hérault
HistoryAniane, FranceAn 11th-century bridge over the Hérault gorge, one of the oldest Romanesque bridges in France. People swim in the green water below in summer; use the paid car park at the visitor centre.
- 34 km
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
HistorySaint-Guilhem-le-Désert, FranceA stone village squeezed into a gorge around the abbey of Gellone, a stop on the Way of St James. Cars must stay in the paid car parks below; in summer a shuttle runs from the Pont du Diable.
- 420 km
Lac du Salagou
NatureClermont-l’Hérault, FranceA reservoir created in 1969 among hills of red earth and dark volcanic rock. Swim from the beaches at Les Vailhés or Clermont-l’Hérault, and walk to the abandoned village of Celles.
- 536 km
Cirque de Navacelles
NatureBlandas, FranceA deep, abandoned meander of the Vis with a hamlet at the bottom, seen from belvederes on both rims. The D130 hairpins down to Navacelles are narrow; large motorhomes should stay at the Blandas viewpoint.
- 616 km
Le Vigan
France - 718 km
Mont Aigoual observatory
ViewsValleraugue, FranceThe last staffed mountain weather observatory in France, at 1,565 m, with an exhibition on weather and climate. On clear days you can see from the Alps to the Mediterranean; it is often windy and cold.
- 828 km
Florac
France - 954 km
Anduze
France
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Montpellier → Lac du Salagou · 58 km · 0 h 48 minOn the way: Pont du Diable, Hérault, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping et campotel Lac de Salagou (< 1 km); Aire de service Camping Club Lac du Salagou (< 1 km).
- Day 2: Lac du Salagou → Le Vigan · 52 km · 0 h 43 minOn the way: Cirque de Navacelles.Overnight nearby, for example: Aire Camping-Car Park Avèze, Le Pont Vieux (2 km); Aire de camping-car Arre (7 km).
- Day 3: Le Vigan → Florac · 47 km · 0 h 39 minOn the way: Mont Aigoual observatory.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping municipal Le Pont du Tarn (1 km); La Tière (2 km).
- Day 4: Florac → Anduze · 54 km · 0 h 45 minOvernight nearby, for example: L'Arche (2 km); La Rouquette (5 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and November. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
- Montpellier: Low-emission zone (Crit’Air). A Crit’Air sticker is required and older vehicles may be banned. Order the sticker from the official website well in advance.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Hérault gorges and the Cévennes?
4-day road trip of about 211 km (131 mi) with 9 stops, from Montpellier to Anduze. About 2 h 55 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Hérault gorges and the Cévennes?
We suggest 4 days: about 2 h 55 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Hérault gorges and the Cévennes start and end?
It starts in Montpellier and ends in Anduze.
Which countries does Hérault gorges and the Cévennes pass through?
France.
Where can you camp along Hérault gorges and the Cévennes?
OpenStreetMap lists 200 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: L'Oasis Palavasienne, L'Eden and Aire Paul-Riquet - Palavas-les-Flots.
When is the best time for Hérault gorges and the Cévennes?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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