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LODEVE
Lodeve is a large town, and lies at
the foot of the Larzac Plateau, next to the free A75
motorway, that connects Clermont Ferrand and Beziers, and is
considered to be the gateway to the Mediterranean.
Surrounded by mountains, it has to be one of the most
beautifully located towns in the region.
It lies central to Montpellier,
Béziers, Sète and Millau, who are all about 30 minutes
drive away
The cathedral
Saint Fulcran
The cathedral Saint Fulcran is a classified historic
building, and belongs to the group of fortified Gothic
cathedrals of Languedoc built during XIIIème and XIVème
century.
Its old defensive tower, is used today as bell-tower. Inside
its cloisters , are many vaults as well as a splendid
crystal lustre, offered by Queen Victoria in 1860.
La halle Dardé
The old market of the XIXème century (1819), is an historic
building, and entirely restored. It is open to the public, and
contains work devoted to the sculptor Paul Dardé, born in
Lodève.
The museum Fleury
de Lodève
Square Georges Auric
Tel.: 04 67 88 86 10
Constructed in the XVIIème century. Home of Cardinal Andre
Hercules de Fleury, who was born on June 22, 1653 and was tax collector and minister
to Louis XV. It was enlarged at the end of
the XIXème century, and was a college for young girls until
it was purchased by the town of Lodéve to be used as a
museum.
The collections are organized in 2 large departments;
1:
geology, paleontology, prehistory, archaeology presenting
the area of Lodéve over the last 540 million years;
2: fine art of the Middle Ages to the XXème century.
The priory Saint
Michel of Grandmont
Soumont (close to Saint Privat )
Very beautiful listed b uilding of XIIème century, comprising
a church, cloisters, and various other buildings.
It is located in a place where there is a splendid panorama
extending to the sea.
The presence, of dolmens, proves that this site was occupied
by men since prehistory.
Information and reservations:
Tel.: 04 67 44 09 31
Guided visits:
- from October to May at 15:00.
- from June to September at 10:30 - 15h00 - 16h00 - 17h00
Free visits:
- All the year from 10:00 to 19:00
PLACES TO VISIT FROM
LODEVE
Le lac du
Salagou
Le cirque de Navacelles
Le cirque et la grot te de Labeil
Lauroux (close to Lodève)
Located on the edge of the southernmost causse of Larzac, on
a dolomite site.
The grotte de labeil is situated in limestone, 700 m above
sea level. From its entrance, it is possible to pass on foot
to the subterranean river, where the illuminated waters are
well worth the visit. After crossing the river, an easy climb
leads to the crystal area, with its beautiful colours.
Helmets with lamps are issued, and a plan of the cave. For
about an hour you can imagine yourselves, explorers in an
unknown world. Please wear long sleeves, bring a change of
clothing, and wear trainers.
www.grotte-de-labeil.com
Le Pas de l'Escalette
The rock escarpment that dominates the Languedoc plain. The
Escalette Pass marks the threshold where two civilizations
meet, that of the ewe on the Larzac, and that of the vines of
the Languedoc Plain.
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