The Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Maguelone is an important example of Romanesque art. Villeneuve-Lès-Maguelone also offers natural areas with different access rules, a natural beach and seasonal water sports.
Romanesque Art and Cultural Programme
Individual visitors can access the peninsula, park and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Maguelone free of charge. Check the current visitor regulations before travelling.
The Église Saint-Etienne also offers tangible insights into the history of architecture: it was built in the 12th century. Its foundations are Romanesque, while the level of the window openings is Gothic in style. The bell tower recalls that the church once served as a refuge and place of protection for the local population.
The Théâtre Jérôme Savary at the Centre Culturel Bérenger de Frédol in Villeneuve-Lès-Maguelone offers a cultural season for audiences of all backgrounds. The programme includes theatre, circus, music, dance and conferences, as well as family-friendly performances. If you would like to attend a performance, check the season dates in advance.
Salt Pans and Wetland
The protected natural area of Les Salines de Villeneuve covers 292 hectares and stretches from the shore of the Étang de Vic to the foothills of the Massif de la Gardiole. It is located within the Natura 2000 area of the Étangs Palavasiens. In 1992, the Conservatoire du Littoral acquired the Salines area and made it a protected site. The area is open to visitors, and events and guided tours are regularly offered. The programme may vary depending on the season, so it is worth checking the visiting dates in advance.
The Réserve naturelle nationale de l’Estagnol is a 78-hectare marshland in the garrigue. It is closed to the public. However, specially constructed observation posts along its perimeter allow visitors to observe the local wildlife and plant life without disturbing the species that live there. Visiting this protected area is therefore quite different from exploring the Salines.
Beach and Activities
Plage du Pilou is a natural beach for swimming, walking and relaxing. Near the lifeguard station at Plage du Pilou is the Base nautique de loisirs Plage Maguelone. It is open from June to August and offers windsurfing, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and pedal boating, as well as rides on Hobie Cat Bravo and Hobie Wave boats. If water sports are important to you, factor this seasonal opening period into your plans and check the visitor details in advance.
The pump track is an urban wheeled-sports area for people aged eight and over. It is suitable for scooters, bicycles, roller skates and skateboards, among other things. This offers a dedicated wheeled-sports option alongside beach and water activities.
Routes with Different Highlights
The 30-kilometre cycling route from Montpellier to the Cathédrale de Maguelone combines nature watching, a climb, a beach experience and a visit to the cathedral. The Randonnée des Salines passes through former salt pans belonging to the Conservatoire du littoral and an area of great ecological importance. The routes differ both in how you travel and in the experiences described. Details of the cycling route may change.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Jean-De-Buèges, Saint-Mathieu-De-Tréviers, Campagne, Beaufort, Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare, Saint-Aunès, Causses-Et-Veyran, Cazedarnes.
For the regional travel overview: Hérault.
