The 7.5 km Chemin de St Côme gives Beaufort a clear focal point for exploring the landscape and local history. The Chemin de St Côme invites you to discover Beaufort’s terroir, the pre-Romanesque Chapel of Saint-Côme and the village’s old centre. It also offers open views across the Minervois plain, Montagne d’Alaric and the Pyrenees. The route thus combines a specific distance with clearly identified sights in the surrounding area and village centre.

Trails and landscape

The site of Saint-Côme is at the crossroads of several hiking trails and the Chemin des Romieux. This connection to the trails adds a distinct point of reference to the 7.5 km Chemin de St Côme: several hiking trails meet here. These are different details to bear in mind when planning—a single trail is described by its length, while the other detail locates a site at a trail junction.

The views from the Chemin de St Côme also give the route a clear character. The Minervois plain, Montagne d’Alaric and the Pyrenees are the explicitly named viewpoints. This means Beaufort can be explored through more than its buildings and history: the trail also draws attention to the landscape surrounding the village. The Chapel of Saint-Côme and the old village centre are cultural points of interest that can be discovered along the same route.

Churches and history

The remarkable Église Saint-Martin de Beaufort is a Romanesque church. Its opening arrangements are important to bear in mind when planning a visit: it is open only during services. Plan your visit around the services. Those especially interested in architectural history will also find the remains of the Visigothic Chapel of Sainte-Madeleine in Beaufort. The Château de Beaufort is listed as a historic monument. The church, chapel ruins and château represent different aspects of the village’s architectural heritage.

The Chapel of Saint-Côme has a different historical connection: it served as a place of worship and rest for pilgrims. This dual role—as a spiritual stop and a place to rest—helps explain its former purpose without confusing it with the current access arrangements for the Église Saint-Martin. The pre-Romanesque chapel can be discovered along the Chemin de St Côme; the site of Saint-Côme is also located at the crossroads of several hiking trails and the Chemin des Romieux.

Local history and wine

A street plaque marks the site of Beaufort’s former railway station. It provides a specific point of reference and recalls an earlier part of the village’s history. As a small, named landmark, it adds another historical perspective to the churches and château.

L’Ort de Soulié offers white, rosé and red wines under the AOP Minervois and IGP Hérault and Pays d’Oc designations. Wine enthusiasts can thus explore this aspect of Beaufort through the named wine colours and appellations of origin. Cellar tours are available to groups by prior reservation. If a tour suits your stay, book in advance and agree on the arrangements before travelling. This requires a different kind of planning from the landscape and cultural attractions: for a group visit, prior arrangements are essential.

Discover more destinations: Montels, Cesseras, Aniane, Clapiers, Ceyras, Fontès, Quarante, Caux.

For the regional travel overview: Hérault.