Situated 33 km west from Montpellier close proximity of the Herault Gorges in a wild and picturesque beauty, this medevial village with houses huddled round Gellone's abbey founded in 804 by Saint Guilhem grandson of Charlemagne, is one of the sights of Languedoc area. Long ago, it was a recommended stop off point for the pilgrims on the way to Compostella.
viewpoint of St Guilhem's hills from Causse de Puechabon Gellone abbey
The Pont du Diable (devil's bridge), shortly constructed after the year 1000, is one of the oldest Romanesque bridges in France. If you have a bold stroke, you could be diving !!!.
how brave is this guy !these guys are a little less brave 		Local area map

To be discovered the marvellous Clamouse cave close to Pont du Diable.
When you get to St Guilhem, take the street leading to a shaded parking near the square of village.
typical streettypical street
You will enjoy walking over narrow streets, watching old houses and looking around in many workshops.

the square
When it's warm, taking a refreshing ice-cold drink under the big plane tree is very nice. 		The Abbey church is one of the most beautiful examples of southern Romanesque art.
the churchthe cloister

As for the cloister, you can admire columns and sculptures to the New York Cloister Museum. Surprising, isn't it !.
inside the cloistergood work
The area is a paradise for long-distance walkers and rock climbers. Rocky trails do not require specific equipment. During the summer season, given the heat, it's better to go walking early. Don't forget to take away a drink because no drinking water over a courses. The street of Bout du Monde is the starting point of three ways.
remnants of Château du Géant overhang the village 1. North hillside, it takes about fourty minutes to get to remnants of Château du Géant (12th century) overhanging the village. Go to last house and turn right to path (GR74) leading up to a ridge. the remains of castle
Then, leave on the left the GR74 leading over scrubland to Ermitage de Notre Dame de Belle Grâce. For going to the remains, you have to turn right by the line of crest where you need to be careful.
2. The Cirque de l'Infernet : at the end of the street of Bout du Monde, carry on the trail throughout Verdus Gorges. You can see limestone cliffs. Many rock-climbing fans come here all year long to train. It takes one hour walking to reach the coomb of Gellone.
the Cirque de l´Infernet ou du Bout du Monde 		a cliff
About flora, you can see numerous Mediterranean species as Salzamnn pines, strawberries tree, box tree, holm oaks, junipers, rosemary and so on. As for fauna, there are still royal eagles which flutters over the rock faces of the Causse.
3. Just afterwards the end of the street of Bout du Monde, you cross the stream and take left the former trail of St Jacques de Compostelle (GR74, red and white markers but also yellow marker).

the trail of St Jacques de Compostelle		 the Bissonne rock
It takes twenty minutes throughout scrubland to get at the foot of spectacular Bissonne rock. Then you leave on the left the GR74 and carry on the path (yellow marker) which keep close to the cliff.
From here, you walk on an old mule track known as 'Chemin des Fenestrelles' used a long time ago for going to the Plateau du Larzac. Nice view point right over the Cirque de l'Infernet. In twenty minutes about, you get to the top. the Chemin des Fenestrelles Then, the track reaches down to the coomb of Gellone. Either you go back to the village throughout the Verdus Gorges or you take left the trail leading up over a dolomitic landscape to the plateau where you have a nice view over the whole area.

Summary