Pinet is a typical Languedoc wine village between the garrigue and the Bassin de Thau. Winegrowing shapes the village’s history, while the landscape of the Thau Lagoon adds a natural dimension. This means you can pursue a range of interests during your stay: a two-hour circular walk near Pinet, Roman traces, village history and wine culture. When planning an overnight stay in Pinet, you can decide whether to focus more on outdoor activity and scenery or on the history of winegrowing.

Walking and Roman history

The walk along the Via Domitia near Pinet is a very easy 6-kilometre circular route and takes 2 hours. Its circular layout and duration make it easy to plan as a standalone excursion. Check the condition of the trail again before setting off.

The route runs between the garrigue and vineyards, following an ancient Roman road, and offers a special view of the Étang de Thau. Bois de la Vallongue in Pinet also overlooks the Thau Lagoon; its natural character is shaped by typical Mediterranean flora and fauna. The two highlights offer different perspectives: the walk combines scenery with the course of a historic road, while the Bois showcases Mediterranean nature.

Along this section of the Via Domitia, you can see two Roman milestones. The road later developed into a route for transport, trade and communication; merchants, travellers and pilgrims used it into the Middle Ages.

The walk includes a picnic area, an information board and free parking. The starting point is the Parking du bois de la Vallongue on Avenue du Picpoul in 34850 Pinet. Before your visit, check both the condition of the trail and the facilities.

Village history and winegrowing

The Église Saint-Siméon-le-Stylite was built in 1877, and its stained-glass windows date from the same period. The houses along Rue de la Concorde tell of the winegrowing boom of the 19th century. Together, these details reveal two sides of the village’s history: religious architecture and the prosperity that winegrowing brought at the time.

The historical connections span different periods: the Via Domitia links Roman remains with its later use into the Middle Ages, while the church and the houses on Rue de la Concorde point to the 19th century. The ancient trade routes and the later winegrowing boom can thus be seen as distinct chapters in Pinet’s history.

Château de Pinet Gaujal de Saint-Bon is the oldest wine estate in the Picpoul de Pinet appellation. It bears witness to the wine châteaux of the Béziers region during the heyday of its wine-growing golden age. The family history is part of the story too: the château has been passed from father to son for 250 years.

Cave de l’Ormarine preserves a centuries-old winegrowing history and tradition. You can taste Picpoul de Pinet there. Shellfish, including oysters from the Étang de Thau, are recommended as a pairing with the wine.

When looking for a hotel in Pinet, you can factor in these differences as you plan: would you like the two-hour walk to be part of your stay, or would you prefer to focus on the village church, Rue de la Concorde and the history of winegrowing?

Discover more destinations: Castelnau-De-Guers, Le Triadou, Puisserguier, Bédarieux, Saint-Félix-De-Lodez, Saint-Clément-De-Rivière, Minerve, Fontès.

For the broader travel overview: Hérault.