Lodève
7 km from La Bergerie and about 12 km from the priory, Lodève and its Saint-Fulcran cathedral round off a day of culture. The Saturday market and the town's shops make it a pleasant stop before or after visiting the priory.
12 km from the gîtes · Romanesque heritage · Hérault
The Prieuré Saint-Michel de Grandmont, a 12th-century Romanesque priory 20 minutes from the gîtes
The Prieuré Saint-Michel de Grandmont is one of the best-preserved priories of the Grandmontine order in France. Its understated Romanesque architecture and unspoilt natural setting, away from the tourist trail, make it a place of visit and contemplation like no other, just 12 km from La Bergerie du Mas Delon.
12 km from the gîtes
12th century
Listed historic monument
Unspoilt natural setting
12 kmfrom La Bergerie du Mas Delon
12th c.Romanesque priory of the Order of Grandmont
Listedhistoric monument
Natureunspoilt setting, far from the roads
The Grandmontine priory, a little-known Romanesque gem
The Order of Grandmont, founded in the 11th century in the Limousin, was a religious order known for the strict austerity of its rule. Its priories, built in remote natural settings, stand out for their plain, unadorned Romanesque architecture, free of any superfluous ornament.
The Prieuré Saint-Michel de Grandmont, in the countryside around Lodève, is one of the best preserved of the order. Its Romanesque church, cloister and monastic buildings form a remarkable ensemble, set among garrigue and limestone rocks typical of the Hérault hinterland.
Romanesque architecture plain and unadorned, Order of Grandmont
Abbey church 12th century, listed historic monument
Cloister well-preserved monastic ensemble
Natural setting garrigue and limestone rocks, a remote site
Climbing site bouldering, 300 routes from 3a to 8b
Guided tours: from 15 January to 31 May and from 1 October to 15 December at 3pm; from 1 June to 30 September at 10.30am, 3pm, 4pm and 5pm. The priory is open all year round and also hosts group meals, seminars, weddings and concerts.
📷 Krzysztof Golik — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Combining the priory with nearby sites
The Prieuré Saint-Michel de Grandmont combines easily with other sites in the Hérault hinterland.
Cirque de Mourèze
17 km from the gîtes, the cirque de Mourèze and its labyrinth of dolomite rocks complete a heritage-and-nature day in the hinterland. From the priory, you can carry on to Mourèze in the afternoon.
Lake Salagou
4 km from the gîtes, Lake Salagou is the perfect place to end the day: a swim, a stroll along the shore and the sunset over the red ruffe hills. The priory in the morning, the lake in the afternoon.
Hiking from the priory
The priory is a starting point for hikes through the surrounding garrigue. Trails let you explore the limestone hills around the priory and reach viewpoints over the valleys.
Frequently asked questions about the Prieuré Saint-Michel de Grandmont
What is the Prieuré Saint-Michel de Grandmont?
The Prieuré Saint-Michel de Grandmont is a 12th-century Romanesque priory and a listed historic monument. It is one of the best-preserved priories of the Grandmontine order in France. Its understated architecture and unspoilt natural setting make it a unique place to visit in the Hérault hinterland.
How far is the priory from La Bergerie du Mas Delon?
The Prieuré Saint-Michel de Grandmont is about 12 km from La Bergerie du Mas Delon, around 20 minutes by car via Lodève.
Is the priory open to visitors?
The Prieuré Saint-Michel de Grandmont is open to visitors, with opening times that vary through the year. Check the opening hours before you go, either with the Lodève tourist office or with the site itself.
Explore the heritage of the Hérault from our gîtes
The Prieuré de Grandmont, the cathedral of Lodève, the abbey of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert: La Bergerie du Mas Delon sits at the heart of an exceptional Romanesque heritage.