Plan your trip to Avène around three clearly distinct themes: the dermatology-focused Thermes d’Avène, trails with varied landscape and cultural features, and Lac des Monts d’Orb.

Thermal baths as a reason to visit

The Thermes d’Avène are intended to relieve chronic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. This makes them a different reason to visit from the routes and nature-related activities described here. If the thermal baths are the main purpose of your visit, confirm the medical services before booking. If you are also planning other activities, you can choose separate priorities, such as a circular trail, a route with a historic building, or the lake.

Lake and natural landscape

Lac des Monts d’Orb, also called Lac d’Avène, is an artificial reservoir measuring 6 km in length. It is surrounded by forests and used for fishing. If you plan to fish, check the latest local restrictions. The two names refer to the same lake, not two different bodies of water.

The Massif de l’Escandorgue includes Avène and is listed as a Type 2 continental ZNIEFF. The area is also designated under the Birds Directive (ZPS) and is part of a Regional Natural Park. This classification describes the landscape area; the individual trail descriptions, by contrast, focus on specific landscapes and trail features.

Trails with different highlights

The La Plaine de Sadde circular trail alternates between chestnut groves, beech forests, fir forests and meadows. Wooded sections also alternate with open areas. So, if you choose a route based on its landscape, the description of this circular trail features both different types of forest and open stretches.

The Peyreguille route passes the 12th-century Pont Vieux before returning to the car park via a footbridge. There is also an orientation board at Peyreguille and an exceptional panoramic view of the wooded hills of Avène, Rode Basse and Truscas. At Peyreguille, you can therefore look out for a historic building, the return route described here, and views of the hills.

The Tour du Lac des Monts d’Orb is part of the GR® de Pays Entre Deux Lacs Avène–Salagou. In March 2026, its western section was closed until further notice following Storm Nils in February 2026. This notice describes the situation at that time; check the latest route information before setting out.

Getting your bearings locally

The Avène tourist office is less than a ten-minute walk from the AVENE – CENTRE bus stop. If you plan to use public transport, check the latest bus information before your trip, as transport details may change.

Discover more destinations: Ganges, Le Bousquet-d'Orb, Montagnac, Caux, Mourèze, Viols-En-Laval, Le Pouget, La Mausse

For the broader travel overview: Hérault.