Pouzolles: History, Vineyards and Hotels

Pouzolles brings together traces of its former fortifications, vineyard slopes, the banks of the Thongue and a range of wine experiences. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Pouzolles, you can plan your trip around your own interests: local history, landscapes or wine. The places and experiences below each offer a different focus—from the surviving remains of the fortifications to a tasting at a winery.

History Between Walls and Castle

The Porte Saint-Martin is the only surviving remnant of Pouzolles’ former fortification walls; local residents also call it “le porche” today. Rue des Murs runs within the former walls. Some houses there have walls more than a metre thick. The gate and the houses thus offer different traces of the former fortifications.

The Château de Pouzolles probably dates from the 15th century. Beyond the entrance, a wide terrace offers sweeping views. The castle chapel became the parish church in 1556, after residents of Saint-Martin de Grézan settled around the castle following the plague epidemic. The feast of Notre-Dame de la Pitié is still celebrated in Pouzolles on the Friday before Palm Sunday. If you plan your trip around this date, check the specific event dates: arrangements can vary from year to year.

Hills, Vineyard Slopes and Paths

There are seven hills around Pouzolles; at 205 metres, Pech Pétou is the highest. Nearby, a vineyard hut stands at a crossroads where four paths meet. The Canto Merle circular trail leads from the lanes into the vineyard slopes and through landscapes that testify to a very long history of winegrowing. A detour from the trail leads to a ruined mill; check its condition on site. For planning your time in the landscape, these offer two different points of interest: Pech Pétou as the highest point, and Canto Merle as a route from the lanes into the vineyard slopes.

The Thongue and Summer Festivities

On the banks of the Thongue, the Allées Frédéric Greilhet form a wide, shady promenade lined with plane trees. They offer a different focus from the circular trail: here, the riverbank and trees shape the setting. During the summer festivities in the Allées, a dancing Brasucade takes place every Friday evening. If this event is important to your travel plans, check the current dates in advance; the programme is seasonal.

Wine Tastings and Different Experiences

At the Caveau of Domaine Bonian winery in Pouzolles, you can taste the winery’s entire range of wines for free, including “Opus” and “Douceur d’Automne”. Domaine de l’Arjolle offers free tours of its barrel cellar and vineyard, followed by a complimentary wine tasting. The experiences have different focuses: at Domaine Bonian, the emphasis is on tasting the full range; at Domaine de l’Arjolle, a cellar and vineyard tour comes before the tasting. Check the current visitor arrangements in advance, as they may change.

Discover more destinations: Ferrals-les-Montagnes, Gignac, Vias, Restinclières, Cazevieille, Riols, Olargues, Alignan-Du-Vent.

See the regional travel overview: Hérault.