The best road cycling routes around Hérépian

In the heart of the old village, the Saint-Jean-l'Évangéliste church bears witness to the history of Le Poujol-sur-Orb. For several centuries, the inhabitants depended on the old priory of Saint-Pierre-de-Rhèdes, located on the other side of the valley, in present-day Lamalou-les-Bains. In 1646, by decision of the bishop, a new church was built in Le Poujol to bring the place of worship closer to the inhabitants. Remodeled over the centuries, it notably retains beautiful 19th-century frescoes depicting saints and prophets.

In the heart of Lamalou-les-Bains, the Saints-Pierre-et-Paul church bears witness to the village's transformation into a major spa resort. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, it accompanies the rise of a town that welcomed numerous spa-goers eager to benefit from the renowned waters of the Orb valley. Before its construction, parish life was organized around the old sanctuaries of Saint-Pierre-de-Rhèdes and then Notre-Dame de Villecelle.

The Saint-Martial church is unlike any other in Haut-Languedoc. Built in 1858-1859 to replace the village's old church, which had become too cramped, it occupies the north wing of the former castle of the viscounts of Narbonne, built in the 15th century. Even more surprisingly, this castle housed a black glass workshop until 1848, before being transformed into a place of worship. The bell tower, added in 1877, completes this original ensemble where religious heritage, seigneurial architecture, and industrial history blend. Observing the buildings surrounding the church, several elements of the original castle can still be distinguished. A few steps away is the old Saint-Martial church, now private property. Built on probably Romanesque foundations, it preserves parts dating back to the 15th century. Having become too dilapidated and too small to accommodate a growing population, it was replaced in 1859 by the new Saint-Martial church. Deconsecrated and then sold by the municipality in 1867, it remains a discreet but precious witness to the religious history of Hérépian.

The Saint-Majan church is the former abbey church of a powerful Benedictine monastery founded in the 7th century, whose prosperity was based in particular on the silver-bearing lead mines that gave their name to Villemagne-l'Argentière. During the Hundred Years' War, the building was transformed into a veritable fortress: walled-up windows, a rampart walk, and machicolations allowed the monks to defend their abbey. Despite the looting of the Wars of Religion in 1562, this remarkable Gothic church has survived the centuries and still bears the traces of this turbulent past. A few steps away is the former Saint-Grégoire church, the first place of worship of the abbey. Its elegant Romanesque architecture contrasts with the Gothic style of Saint-Majan. Transformed into an archaeological museum, it presents collections dedicated to the history of the village, from Antiquity to the Middle Ages, as well as to the exploitation of the ancient mines that shaped the wealth of Villemagne-l'Argentière. By visiting these two buildings, one travels through more than a millennium of history in just a few minutes.

Mentioned as early as the 12th century, the church of Saint-Alexandre has had a turbulent history. It was first destroyed in 1364 by English troops during the Hundred Years' War, then in 1563 during the Wars of Religion, when Bédarieux fell into the hands of the Protestants. A third destruction occurred in 1622, during the campaigns led by Louis XIII to retake the Protestant strongholds of Languedoc. Rebuilt in the 17th century, it features a surprising architectural detail: its choir is slightly off-center, a layout that would symbolize the head of Christ inclined on the Cross.

Magnificent viewpoint over the reliefs of the Haut-Languedoc. From this bend in the D180, the landscape suddenly opens up to the east, offering a striking view of the valleys and ridges of the Espinouse. An unmissable photo stop on the way to the pass.

From Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare, the Col des Treize Vents offers a pleasant and gradual climb. You can stop at one of the hairpin bends to take a moment and admire the magnificent panorama over the valley. The descent towards Hérépian is fast and exhilarating.

Characteristic suspension bridge over the Orb