Extreme heat in Hérault: our five good tips for keeping cool around Montpellier

La cathédrale de Maguelone figure parmi les cinq lieux où prendre le frais. E.S.

La température monte ! Notre liste (non exhaustive) d’activités “fraîcheur” à découvrir autour de Montpellier.

À Ceyras, prendre l’eau sur la Lergue avec “Obouées”

Close to Clermont-l’Hérault, the buoy rental service allows you to paddle on the Lergue with family or friends for 5 km (2 hours 30 minutes of navigation) with a few small rapids. Three quarters of the course called “du Moulin” are shaded by the vegetation.
The buoys pass in front of cliffs or under bridges. It is an unusual walk in the hinterland where it is possible to take a break for a picnic or a swim in a beach area. The nautical site is open from Wednesday to Sunday in July and every day except Monday and Saturday in August, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (reservations recommended).

You can slide on the Lergue with friends or family. DR

In Lattes, discover the past at the Henri-Prades archaeological museum

The Henri-Pardes archaeological museum exhibits ancient objects discovered during excavations carried out on the archaeological site of Lattara. Inside the museum, you can discover the permanent collections composed of ceramics, funerary steles, ancient sculptures, jewelry and many other objects and works.
In addition to the museum tour, scenographic and multimedia devices have been developed to punctuate the visits. The exhibition rooms offer an archaeological, chronological and thematic journey.
Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 12pm and from 1:30pm to 5:30pm and Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 7pm.

Animations to discover the ancient world. DR

In Saint-Bauzille-de-Putois and Saint-Jean-de-Fos, sheltered from the sun and in the humidity of the Grotte des Demoiselles and the Grotte de Clamouse

The Hérault region is full of caves. Among them, the most famous are the Grotte des Demoiselles and the Grotte de Clamouse. The Grotte des Demoiselles, located at the gates of Ganges, was discovered in 1884 and opened to the public in 1931. Equipped with a funicular, it allows you to reach one of its rooms, the « Cathedral », 60 meters high. The temperature inside is estimated at 14 °C.
Open every day from 9 am to 6 pm. For its part, the Clamouse cave, located near Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, has been known since the Neolithic period and has been open to the public since 1967. A water source runs through the cave. Open every day from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

In the Demoiselles cave, the temperature drops to 14°C in summer. DR – CWIOSNA CABANE

In Saint-Jean-de-Védas, relax at the Parc du Terral

In the Domaine du Terral car park, a passage attracts attention on the left side. When you enter the site of the park created in 1880, you go down an alley, escorted by vegetation in all its forms, a little damaged by time and heat.
Different species (holm oak, cypress, bamboo, pine, etc.) coexist on the three hectares of the promenade, creating pleasant shaded areas in the middle of summer. A lush green lawn and a pond are protected by trees and allow you to relax between 8am and 9pm on Wednesdays and Fridays in June, July and August, and until 8pm on other days.

The Terral park has shaded areas.

In Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, meditate and visit the Maguelone Cathedral

Located on the edge of the pond, nestled on the peninsula in the middle of vineyards and forest, the Maguelone Cathedral is one of the highest places of Christianity in Languedoc-Roussillon. The island is not accessible by car, you have to park in the Pilou car park and then cross the pond by the footbridge.
There, you can take the little train, which passes every quarter of an hour, or go there on foot or by bike. Inside, after passing through the small entrance door, benches are arranged facing the altar. Several panels explaining the history of the monument are to be discovered, as well as period works.
Open every day, from 9 am to 6 pm. Free entry. Group visit by reservation: 04 67 50 63 63.

The cathedral is located on the peninsula between the pond and the forest. E.S.