Landscapes

The River Hérault rises on the southern slope of the Cévennes, beneath Mont Aigoual, at a height of 1,288 metres, and flows into the Mediterranean at Le Grau d’Agde.

It is a temperamental river, subject to the unpredictable behaviour of the Mediterranean climate, and its flow can increase very suddenly after the autumn and spring rains.


All along its length, a narrow band of cool, damp soil is home to the tall deciduous trees that mark out the line of the river. Ashes, alders and poplars grow happily here, without having to adapt to the heat as the plants on the garrigue do. It is also home to a wide variety of both plant and animal species.

Although the river is a source of life, it has also presented an obstacle to man, and to cross it people have used ferries, fords and finally, bridges. Over the centuries, people have learned to use water from the river initially for irrigation, the textile industry and flour milling, and later to produce electricity and extract ballast. Most recently, the river and its environment have been used for leisure activities, including bathing, kayaking, fishing and much more.