Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, France
A 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.
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert lies in the Hérault valley, near the Hérault gorges. The village goes back to 804, when William, Count of Toulouse and Duke of Aquitaine, founded the abbey of Gellone here. It became a pilgrimage destination because a relic of the Cross of Christ was said to be kept here. The village lies on the Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela; since 1998 the abbey of Gellone, together with the nearby Pont du Diable, has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France”. It is also one of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France”. Parts of the cloister are now in The Cloisters museum in New York.
The village has around 240 inhabitants and is easy to explore on foot; half a day suits the village and abbey. The car parks on the edge of the village and along the riverside road are pay-to-park. The Grotte de Clamouse and the Pont du Diable are nearby.
- Nearest town
- Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, France
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 43.7334, 3.5496
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Pont du Diable Grand siteMotorhome stopover4 km from Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert · 14 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Camping Paradis Family Les Rives de l'HéraultCampsite8 km from Saint-Guilhem-le-DésertTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Aire de service Camping Club Lac du SalagouMotorhome stopover16 km from Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert · 20 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping et campotel Lac de SalagouCampsite16 km from Saint-Guilhem-le-DésertTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Aire de camping-car de Saint Martin-de-LondresMotorhome stopover16 km from Saint-Guilhem-le-DésertMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposal
- Gite Le Revel - CampingCampsite17 km from Saint-Guilhem-le-DésertTentsCaravansShowersToilets
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert?
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, France, at GPS 43.7334, 3.5496. It is about 29 km from Le Vigan.
Can you camp near Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Pont du Diable Grand site, about 4 km away; within 25 km there are 39 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert?
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Hérault gorges and the Cévennes.
What is there to see near Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert?
Places worth a stop nearby: Pont du Diable, Hérault (3 km), Lac du Salagou (16 km), Cirque de Navacelles (18 km) and Cirque de Mourèze (22 km).
When is the best time to visit Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)