What are the most beautiful villages in Hérault? Three Hérault villages hold the official “Plus Beaux Villages de France” (Most Beautiful Villages of France) label: Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Minerve and Olargues1. Around them, others are worth the detour: Bouzigues on the Thau lagoon, Villeneuvette the former royal manufactory, Roquebrun, Laroque, Saint-Martin-de-Londres, Lunas, Montouliers and Marseillan2.
The 3 villages labelled “Plus Beaux Villages de France”
According to the association’s official list, Hérault has three labelled villages1: Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Minerve and Olargues. List checked on .
Top 12 most beautiful villages in Hérault
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert ★ PBVF label
The Gellone abbey, the cloister, the place de la Liberté: a Romanesque gem deep in the gorges. In summer the single lane is packed by around 11 am: arrive around 8:30 am. Pair it with the Pont du Diable (11th century) and a swim in the Hérault. See Saint-Guilhem on our Nature page.
Minerve ★ PBVF label
A Cathar town “nestled on its rocky spur”, with natural bridges carved by the rivers beneath the village, and views over the vineyards2. See also Minervois & villages.
Olargues ★ PBVF label
A former fortified town at the foot of the Caroux, with its 12th-century Pont du Diable, the Commanderie staircase and a keep at the top2.
Bouzigues
The Thau oyster village, its oyster beds facing Mont Saint-Clair2. Worth seeing: the Thau Lagoon Museum – Louis Higounet, labelled “Musée de France”3. Have lunch in a farmer’s cabin rather than a beach restaurant. See our Thau page.
Villeneuvette
A former royal manufactory turned village: over the gate, the motto “Honneur au Travail” (Honour to Work)2. The Cirque de Mourèze and Lake Salagou are close by, enough for a full day2.
Roquebrun
Mimosas, orange and lemon trees grow right in the lanes, so much that the village is nicknamed the “Nice of Hérault”; it also has a Mediterranean Garden. Look for the views over the Orb and its bridge2. See Minervois & villages.
Laroque
A fortified medieval village on a rocky outcrop where the Hérault leaves its gorges. A 360° panorama from the keep; below, a swim at La Plagette or a canoe trip down the river2.
Saint-Martin-de-Londres
Its Romanesque church, protected by two medieval walls, was built by the monks of Saint-Guilhem2. A good stop after Saint-Guilhem: about 25 min by car from the Pont du Diable.
Lunas-les-Châteaux
Three rivers meet here: the Gravezon, the Nize and the Dourdou. The Redondel rock above the village is the site of a former castle (1118)2.
Montouliers
Climb its calades, steep lanes paved with pebbles. All around, vines and garrigue, and the winegrowers of the Minervois and Saint-Chinian AOCs2.
Pégairolles-de-Buèges
An old medieval village perched around its castle, square keep and castle chapel, in the quiet Buèges valley between the Séranne and the Causse-de-la-Selle2.
Marseillan
In the old village, a covered square and an Italian-style theatre; on the lagoon side, a harbour popular with yachters2. It is also home to the Noilly Prat house. See our Thau page.
More ideas
More ideas: Fraisse-sur-Agout, Boussagues, Le Caylar, Les Matelles2; Vieussan, Assignan. See also Pézenas, our itineraries and the Thau lagoon.
Frequently asked questions
How many Hérault villages are listed as “Plus Beaux Villages de France”?
Three: Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Minerve and Olargues (official list, October 2026).
What is the most beautiful village in Hérault?
It is a matter of taste. Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, which holds the label, tops Hérault Tourisme’s list, for its Gellone abbey deep in the Hérault gorges.
Which pretty village to visit on the Thau lagoon?
Bouzigues for oysters and the Thau Lagoon Museum, or Marseillan for its harbour and Italian-style theatre.
How to avoid the crowds in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert?
Arrive around 8:30 am and avoid 2–5 pm in August; paid parking below the village, shuttle in summer.
Can you see several villages in one day?
Yes. For example: Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, the Pont du Diable (~6 min), Saint-Martin-de-Londres (~25 min), then Laroque (~20 min): about 43 km and 50 minutes of driving in total, without traffic. Start early: in Saint-Guilhem the lane is packed by around 11 am in summer.
Sources. 1 Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, our villages (FR) · 2 Hérault Tourisme, top villages (FR) · 3 Belambra, Thau lagoon guide (FR). Driving times are approximate, without traffic.
Updated on .