Attractions and Places To See around Villespassans - Top 20

Located on the edge of the Canal du Midi, in the heart of the Aude, this charming 18th-century inn – a former post house – nestles in the shade of majestic, centuries-old plane trees. Le Relais de Pigasse offers a guest house and 2 cottages. On-site, a table d'hôtes and a gourmet restaurant welcome you for your meals.

This rest area offers one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the D612 overlooking the Saint-Chinianais region and the first reliefs of the Haut-Languedoc. Below, the village of Pierrerue clings to the side of a hill, while in the distance, the characteristic silhouette of the Caroux massif is particularly visible. This place is also steeped in memory: the Col de Fontjun was the scene, in August 1944, of fierce fighting between Resistance maquisards and German troops. A few meters past the rest area, by the side of the D612, a monument now commemorates this tragic episode and pays tribute to the resistance fighters who fell during these clashes.

Several walking options are available. Either an out-and-back on the paved road starting from Cruzy (7.4km, 130m elevation gain), or a loop that turns towards Villespassans without actually reaching it, skirting around L'Estagnol and descending to the right to the Chapel of Sainte Foi (10km, 210m elevation gain). A small correction regarding the incorrect names: The first gorge at Roquefourcade (the village spring) is called Marie-Coquette, the ruined building after the small Chapel of Sainte Foi is called the Sainte Foi Sheepfold, and the second gorge that climbs towards Les Gyssières (Platières) is called Marie-Close. This walk is especially recommended after the spring rains when there is water in the Nazoure River and waterfalls at Marie-Close.

The Abbey of Sainte-Marie de Fontcaude is a former Premonstratensian abbey dating from the 12th century, located in the commune of Cazedarnes in the French department of Hérault in the Occitanie region, of which it is in fact a hamlet, on the edge of the territory of Cazouls-lès-Béziers. The name means "hot fountain" in Occitan.

The pretty Pigasse bridge (name of the relay which served as a stopover for travelers who used the Canal at the time when navigation was not motorized (towpath))

The Saint Bauléry castle with its lands belonged to GUILLAUME BERMOND du CAYLAR, Governor of the city of Béziers, Lord of Puisserguier, Maureilhan, Colombiers and Cébazan. His descendants were the owners until the revolution. The building included an 11th century church, Saint Bauzille de Lodaza, which depended on the Benedictine Abbey of Saint Chinian. The castle housed two families of sharecroppers and shepherds until 1850.

Pretty valley. From Cruzy, once out of the parade (after 3.9km), it is possible to turn left for a return via Montplo le Bas, or right to go around Estagnol and return a little before entering the parade (at the level of the Chapel of Sainte-Foi).

Picturesque site where time seems suspended.