For Canet, a one-hour village walk and a two-day, 95-kilometre bike ride offer different ways to spend your time. There is also the village’s history, the Hérault on its eastern border and a wine experience at Domaine de la Dourbie. As you plan, you can weigh up whether to explore the village on foot or devote more time to the cycling route.

Village History in Several Places

Barry is the oldest part of Canet, situated around the remains of the Church of Saint-Martin. In the quarter within the castle fortifications, traces of towers and the castle’s main building can still be seen. These two places offer different glimpses into the village’s history. The Church of Notre-Dame de Bethléem also has a long building history: it originated as a chapel built by Dominicans. Its construction took six years, from 1630 to 1636.

The Pont de Canet adds more recent dates to these historic sites. Its present form dates from 1935; the bridge was restored in 2012 and 2017. It is not only part of the village’s history, but also a landmark for cyclists: the “Escapade à vélo N°4” route crosses the Pont de Canet.

On Foot by the Hérault

The Hérault forms Canet’s eastern boundary. The village walk follows a small, yellow-marked path along the river. The walk described for 2023/2024 is rated easy, is two kilometres long and takes one hour. Check the trail conditions before setting out.

Another riverside walk is called “Au bord de l’Hérault”. It includes looking for signs of otters and beavers, a picnic on a river beach and activities involving pebbles. Dates may vary by season, so check when the walk is offered if you would like to include it in your travel plans.

Wine and the Market in Canet

At Domaine de la Dourbie, visitors can learn about every stage of organic wine production on an interactive wine-tourism trail. A free wine tasting and cellar-door sales are also available. The estate is on Route d’Aspiran (RD 130), four kilometres from A75 exit 57. Take road conditions into account when travelling there, and check before your visit whether the trail, tasting and sales are available.

The traditional market also offers a chance to meet local producers. For 2026–2027, it is scheduled for Thursdays from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm, with four to five stalls run by local producers. If you travel later, check the opening hours and number of stalls again.

A Bike Ride That Takes More Time

The “Escapade à vélo N°4” takes two days and covers 95 kilometres. With the Pont de Canet as part of the route, it links a specific cycling itinerary with a historic structure in the village. Compared with the one-hour village walk, it is a much more substantial outing and requires different time planning. Check current route conditions and booking requirements before setting off. This makes it easier to choose between a short walk and a multi-day bike ride based on how much time you have and what you would like to focus on.

Discover more destinations: Marseillan Plage, Gignac, Saint-Thibéry, La Grande Motte, Assignan, Brissac, Soumont, Saint-Guilhem-Le-Désert

For the broader travel overview: Hérault.