Saint-Gély-Du-Fesc: Nature, History and Wine

Saint-Gély-du-Fesc offers several highlights to consider when planning a trip: garrigue and wildlife watching, routes of varying lengths, archaeological remains, annual festivals and wine tastings. You can make nature, history or an event the focus of your stay. The season may also influence your choice, as two of the festivals take place in spring and at the end of August, respectively.

Nature and routes

The Parc de Coulondres Philippe Eldridge is an 18-hectare garrigue park. There, you can observe fallow deer, mouflons, red deer and sika deer living in semi-wild conditions. Access may be affected by seasonal closures and fire risks; check these conditions before your visit.

The Bois de la Vierge adjoins the Parc de Fontgrande. Its paths are suitable for walking and jogging. It offers another way to get to know the landscape around Saint-Gély-du-Fesc on a walk or run.

The La Fontaine de Rougé circular route is 7.1 km long, passes through the Bois du Redonel and runs between oak trees, pines and garrigue. Le Redonel is 12.8 km long, loops around Saint-Gély-du-Fesc and takes about three hours on foot. At 12.8 km rather than 7.1 km, Le Redonel is the longer of the two routes; the stated walking time for it is about three hours. Check the current route descriptions before setting out, as the municipality may update the details.

History and festivals

The Les Vautes archaeological site was inhabited in the Late Neolithic and the subsequent Copper Age, approximately from 3000 to 1800 BC. The site has groups of dry-stone houses that can be considered prototypes of buildings from the Fontbouisse culture. Its date and distinctive construction style give the site a clear historical focus.

A precisely dated historical feature is the listed bell, dating from 1759, in the bell tower of Saint-Gilles Church. It adds a clearly later historical date to the prehistoric traces of settlement.

Saint-Gély fête la ruralité takes place every year in spring. This free festival celebrates agriculture, nature and rural traditions. The programme includes, among other things, winegrowers’ villages, agricultural demonstrations, more than 120 farm animals and activities to raise awareness of biodiversity. The programme may change.

The Fête votive de la Saint-Gilles takes place at the end of August and includes, among other things, traditional bull races with Camargue herds. The exact dates vary each year. If you would like to plan your trip around one of the festivals, the spring festival and the event at the end of August offer different seasonal occasions to choose from. Check the dates and programmes before your trip.

Wine and regional produce

At Le Chemin des Rêves, the winemaker leads a tour of the vineyards and cellar, followed by a tasting of five of the estate’s cuvées. Domaine de Coulondres offers a cellar tour followed by a tasting of its wines and regional produce. This is served with a platter of cured meats and cheese, or a full option with cured meats, cheese and seafood. The tastings described therefore differ: five cuvées are part of the experience at Le Chemin des Rêves, while Domaine de Coulondres includes regional produce and a choice of accompaniments.

Discover more destinations: La Caunette, La Vacquerie-Et-Saint-Martin-De-Castries, Lagamas, Villeveyrac, Palavas-Les-Flots, Saint-Jean-De-La-Blaquière, Vendres, Mudaison.

For the broader travel overview: Hérault.