STOPOVER PORT : SETE
TOUR NAME: SAINT GUILHEM LE DESERT & THE HERAULT GORGE
DURATION : 4 HOURS
DESCRIPTION:
The little village of Saint Guilhem le Désert is built around an early Romanesque Abbey
not far from the Hérault river gorge.
Its history is closely linked to a 12th century 'chanson de geste' which tells of the life of
William of Orange, cousin of Charlemagne, who, after his wife's death, decided to
withdraw to the desert lands of Gellone to build a monastery there and devote himself
to a life of prayer.
The Emperor of the Franks asked him to remain as his advisor and accompany him to visit
the Pope in Rome. William brought back a piece of the Holy Cross which he placed in
Gellone Abbey, where he would be buried a few years later.
After his death, Gellone became an important place of pilgrimage on one of the roads
leading to Santiago de Compostela.
After several periods of wealth and decline, the Abbey was sold as a national asset
during the French revolution and a large part of its cloisters are today on display at the
'Cloisters Museum' in New York.
This excursion allows you to visit a masterpiece of early Romanesque architecture set in
a contrasting environment of peace and chaos.
P ROGRAMME :
08 : 30 : Leave for Hérault Gorge.
09 : 45 : Arrive in the gorge and stop off at "Pont du Diable"
10 : 00 : Continue by coach to the village of Saint Guilhem le Désert
10 : 15 : Tour of the village, Gellone Abbey and free time
11 : 15 : Return to Sète
12 : 30 : Arrive at the port
P RACTICAL INFORMATION :
Services available on this excursion :
Public toilets at the entrance to and in the village ofSaint Guilhem le Désert.
Craft shops in Saint Guilhem (closed from end of October to beginning of April)
Recommendations on this excursion :
Guided walking tour of the village and Abbey is not recommended for people with reduced mobility.
