Top 4 Castles around Saint-Jean-De-La-Blaquière

Beautiful place and view

A place worth a little detour and not particularly difficult to access.

Easy hike, also suitable for cycling

Octon is a 'favorite' village, symbolic of the special atmosphere of the villages of the Grand Site. Its houses with multi-colored facades made of local stone, its wine cellars (Mas des chimères, Mas du Salagou, Trois terres, etc.) and the charming fountain on the square give a Mediterranean feel to this very lively village in the summer. The official end of the Sentier des 2 lacs is at the level of the Arcades campsite and the 'totem' of the Grande Traversée du Massif Central à VTT. A remarkable viewpoint over the Salagou lake awaits you: reed beds, Neck de la Roque, etc. It's a shame not to continue the adventure: we continue on the southern banks of the lake! We start by crossing the ford on the Salagou river, which gives its name to the lake (be careful, it gets wet after heavy rain!). Then it is an uninterrupted series of pretty red paths, vineyards and rolling hills of ruffes, with breathtaking views of the lake, the Sure hill, the Rouens peninsula and the Liausson mountain. With a few swimming spots to boot, welcome in summer: it gets hot on the ruffes… From the banks of Liausson, it is highly recommended to take a detour to Mont Liausson by taking the PR marked in yellow. A 9km route for a little less than 500m of elevation gain, with a nice climb from the Col des Portes to reach the summit. The Grand Site Salagou – Cirque de Mourèze seen from above… An exceptional panoramic view full of colours: the blue of the lake, the red ruffes, the yellow of the broom and the mosaic of vines. On the other side, the gaze stops on the ghostly shapes of the Cirque de Mourèze. If you don't have the time or the courage to make the detour to Mont Liausson, at least go up to the charming village of Liausson: magical panorama of the vineyards and the lake! On the banks of Clermont, the view of the lake at the end of the day from the pontoon is a delight for lovers of beautiful landscapes and perfect shots! You can eat there, stay there, have a drink, or simply enjoy a beautiful shaded beach. Only 6 km to go to the end of the journey: a pretty path with views of the lake, a stretch of road, a quiet track to cross a pass, and the descent towards Clermont-l'Hérault by a pretty greenway... A little gourmet stop at the Miellerie du Salagou, a few housing developments then we find a panoramic path that leads to the Guilhem castle. A tip: when the castle site is open, cross it to find the trail markings on the heights of old Clermont. You will be impressed by the magnificent views of the city and the plain from the castle grounds. All that remains is to let yourself be guided through the city and discover the imposing St Paul church: a remarkable example of southern Gothic. The interior is incredibly bright and airy… The end of the adventure will be on the terrace, on the Allées Salengro: the living heart of the city, and a wonderful Languedoc atmosphere, plane trees and wines to boot…

The castle gate! The start of the GR74 is announced from St Guilhem le Désert. An imposing and impressive gate, which suggests the grandeur of the castle, unfortunately in ruins, and forbidden to access.

The Château du Géant, perched on a rocky peak above the village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert in Hérault, is shrouded in a fascinating legend. In the past, a Giant and a Magpie terrorized the villagers. Guilhem, disguised as a servant, challenged the Giant and threw him from the cliffs of the castle. Since then, the Gellone valley has lived in peace, without ever seeing the magpie again

Fozières Castle is a historic building which combines medieval architecture (12th century) and Renaissance elements. Surrounded by lush gardens and vineyards, this castle is worth the detour!