Places of interest
Capestang is a commune in the Hérault department in Occitanie in north-central France with a population of 3233. It belongs to the arrondissement of Béziers and the canton of Saint-Pons-de-Thomières. The inhabitants are called Capestanais. With so many beautiful excursion destinations and sights around Capestang, you will certainly not get bored. Whether you prefer hiking or cycling, the best attractions are just waiting to be discovered by you - or the whole family. Let the region's best leisure tips inspire you for your next adventure. (according to Wikipedia)
The lock stairs of Fonserannes
Easy to reach by car, on foot and by bike!
The structure was built in the 17th century and went into operation together with the Canal du Midi, planned by Pierre-Paul Riquet and built in 1789. The lock staircase originally consisted of eight (now six) interconnected lock chambers with a total length of about 300 metres and a height difference of 21.18 metres.
Cycling and walking through the tunnel
The Malpas tunnel (1679-1680), at the foot of the fort of Ensérune near Colombiers, has a good name - Malpas means "difficult passage". The "river tunnel" bored through the rock is 173 metres long, 8.5 metres wide and 6 metres high; a towpath runs along its left bank. Today, three superimposed tunnels cross here on three levels: the top one is that of the Canal du Midi, the middle one is a railway tunnel and the one on the lower level carries the water of the Etang de Montady ... a technically highly impressive interweaving.
Impressive building with a fantastic view after an «eventful» climb.
The exposed position of the cathedral above the plain of the river Orb makes it the landmark of the city of Beziers. It was built in the 8th century on a site where a temple already stood in Roman times. In the 13th century, the cathedral was rebuilt after being destroyed during the Albigensian Crusade. The Albigensian Crusade was a crusade launched by Pope Innocent III against the Cathar religious community in Occitania (southern France), which was considered heretical by the Catholic Church.
Canal bridge of the Canal du Midi over the Orb
Easy to reach by car, on foot and by bicycle!
Opened in 1858, the canal bridge carried navigation at a height of 12 metres over the River Orb. It is 28 metres wide and spans a length of 240 metres. To build it, the canal was diverted from the seventh lock chamber of Fonserannes towards the bridge.
Easy to explore on foot and by bike!
Béziers is one of the most historically important centres in the Hérault department in the Occitanie region. Today, the city has about 78,000 inhabitants and is located about 14 km from the Mediterranean Sea. The area of Béziers was settled as early as 650 BC, so it is a very old city of Gaul, located on the first Roman road Via Domitia. A visit to Béziers is highly recommended as it has been renovated and embellished in recent years.
Use the central Parking Beziers Jean Jaures - EFFIA, Place Jean Jaurès or the nearby Parking Indigo, 12 Boulevard Jean Jaurès directly in the centre.
On foot at the end of a city walk
After an eventful stroll through the centre of Beziers, you can relax in the gardens designed by the landscape architect Bühler and inaugurated in 1863, located at the eastern end of the «Allées Paul Riquet». The park is planted with many trees, rare or exotic species and covers an area of five hectares.
A way to cool off on those hot summer days in the city.
With its 50 jets of water, the Fontaine Musicale offers a water display in the Place Jean Jaurès in Béziers, which is especially fun for children in summer.
Hiking highlight
The Etang de Montady was once a lake that was drained in the 13th century. The run-off was channelled to a central ditch and then passed through a 1.5 km tunnel under the canal tunnel of «Le Malpas». This tunnel is the lowest of three, the middle one is a railway tunnel and the top one is the tunnel for the Canal du Midi.
Greenway between Cessenon-sur-Orb and Saint-Chinian
Cycling highlight
A beautiful cycle path on an old railway line and perfectly passable by bike.
In Saint Chinian there is a large car park in a new multifunctional centre from which tours can start.
Generous wide sandy beach with promenade and the obligatory cafés and restaurants behind.
Carcassonne is a city crossed by the Canal du Midi with almost 50,000 inhabitants and the seat of the prefecture of the Aude department. Its landmark is the medieval fortress on a hill in the old town, known as the Cité of Carcassonne . With its 3 km long defensive wall and its 52 towers, it is the largest fortress in Europe
Saint-Sylvestre-et-Sainte-Colombe church
Hiking highlight
The church of Saint-Sylvestre-et-Sainte-Colombe was built towards the end of the 10th and beginning of the 11th century with the remains of a church from the Visigothic period from the 5th to 7th centuries. Built in the 17th century.
Source de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombiers_(H%C3%A9rault )
Hiking highlight
Great vantage point with a view of the oppidum. The path from Béziers via the locks, Columbiers and the tunnel is well worth seeing.
