Fontanès among vineyards, garrigue and history

Fontanès brings together wine-growing, architectural history and a landscape of vineyards and garrigue. When looking for a hotel stay, these themes help you understand the character of the place: they range from the Pic Saint-Loup appellation to traces of village life in the past and named cycling and walking routes. Whether you are more interested in wine, historic buildings or a route, Fontanès offers several specific points of interest.

Natural landscape and wine region

Fontanès lies among vineyards and garrigue and has a well-preserved natural environment. The village is also part of the Hautes Garrigues du Montpelliérais Natura 2000 site, designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA). In addition, it is within the Pic Saint-Loup appellation: Fontanès lies at its heart, and the appellation is known for high-quality wines. A designated protected area and a strong connection to wine-growing thus come together in the same place.

Wine-growing and local history

Château La Roque offers wine tastings and guided tours in Fontanès. Tasting options, as well as booking and access conditions, may change, so check the details before your visit. The remains of the Tour de la Roque can also be seen on the estate. The tower was converted into a winemaker’s house. Tastings and architectural history are therefore two distinct aspects of the same estate.

Since the Middle Ages, Fontanès has occupied a strategic position at the crossroads of routes from Anduze, Montpellier and Sommières. The village’s history can thus be understood not only through individual buildings, but also through these three historic connections.

Buildings and village life

Église Saint-Étienne illustrates a later period of construction: the building dates from the 19th century and replaces an earlier church that was destroyed in the 18th century. While Fontanès’s medieval position on the routes places it within wider connections, the church brings the village’s history into focus through a specific building and two successive centuries.

The fountains offer another glimpse of everyday life. Until after the Second World War, they were the village’s only sources of drinking water. The village’s history is therefore also tangible through an everyday function, not just through routes and buildings.

Cycling and walking routes

The Tour du Puech des Mourgues cycling loop passes through Fontanès on its return route. It recommends stopping there to see Église Saint-Étienne and the architecture characteristic of Languedoc’s expanding wine-growing industry in the 18th century and, above all, the 19th century. The route thus links the stop in the village with two specific themes: the church and wine-growing architecture.

The GR® de Pays Tours en Grand Pic Saint-Loup has a different connection to the area: a 900 m section runs along the D 109 towards Fontanès and continues to the hamlet of Lascours. The cycling loop passes through the village on its return, while the GR section indicates the direction of Fontanès and the continuation to Lascours. Check route conditions before setting out.

Discover more destinations: La Tour-Sur-Orb, Le Cros, Faugères, Cournonterral, Avène, Puimisson, Courniou, Assas.

For the broader travel overview: Hérault.