Between the Canal du Midi and the vineyards, starting from Villeneuve-les-Béziers

de fr

On the outskirts of Béziers, in the Villeneuve-lès-Béziers area, the vineyards stretch along the banks of the Canal du Midi. The Oenorando will take you on a journey of discovery through the landscapes and the mosaic of grape varieties, within the Pays d’Oc and Coteaux de Béziers PGI areas, which benefit from maritime influences on terroirs of rounded pebbles caressed by the local breeze.

Details

n°2828654
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.20 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 5 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 5 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 10 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Villeneuve-les-Bèziers

Description of the walk

Start from the car park on Chemin de Saint-Michel, near the Alma Cersius wine cooperative.

(S/E) Follow Chemin de Saint-Michel, keeping the canal on your right, and pass the cooperative winery. At the end of the street, turn right and cross the Canal du Midi, with the Villeneuve Lock on your right.

(1) As you leave the bridge, follow the towpath to the left and pass the floating Tourist Office. Follow the canal on your left. Pass under the D64 and, about 600 m further on, reach another bridge, recognisable by its rounded concrete structure. Leave the towpath and head up to the level of the bridge.

(2) Turn right onto the D37E16 road and follow the shared path for motorists, mountain bikers and pedestrians.

(3) Cross the D37 road (take care) and turn diagonally left onto the small road known as Chemin des Rompudes. At the end, turn right until you reach a crossroads.

(4) Then turn right into the vineyard. At the junction (marker 4), continue straight ahead along a track. Pass under the D64 (take care: low-ceilinged tunnel) and continue along the tarmac. At the junction, continue straight ahead along Chemin des Salancs. Ignore a side road on the right and you will reach another junction.

(5) Continue straight ahead again. You will come out onto the D37; follow it to the right and you will immediately reach a roundabout. Continue straight ahead towards the town centre.

(6) Take thefirst left, the narrow Rue Victor-Hugo. Enter the old town. Cross the Place de la Liberté (church, fountain). Follow Rue de la Fontaine straight ahead (many mansions and winegrowers’ houses). Pass the municipal police station and the post office.

(7) At the end, turn left onto Boulevard Frédéric Mistral. Take thefirst right, Chemin du Pont Neuf. Turn right onto Chemin du Bourdigou and ignore a turn-off on the left. Pass under the A9 motorway and reach the Canal du Midi.

(8) Turn right and follow the towpath. Walk alongside the Arièges Lock. Pass under the A9 motorway again and continue along the towpath. Carry on along Rue du Canal and head for the bridge once you reach the town.

(1) Cross the canal. Opposite the cooperative, turn left onto Chemin de Saint-Michel and head back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 5 m - Car park - Chemin de Saint-Michel
  2. 1 : km 0.24 - alt. 7 m - Towpath of the - Canal du Midi
  3. 2 : km 1.95 - alt. 7 m - Bridge over the - Canal du Midi
  4. 3 : km 2.31 - alt. 3 m - D37E16 x D37
  5. 4 : km 3.66 - alt. 2 m - Crossroads
  6. 5 : km 5.96 - alt. 4 m - Crossroads
  7. 6 : km 6.31 - alt. 5 m - Town entrance
  8. 7 : km 6.65 - alt. 7 m - Rue de la Fontaine x Boulevard Frédéric Mistral
  9. 8 : km 8.36 - alt. 9 m - Towpath
  10. S/E : km 10.2 - alt. 5 m - Car park - Chemin de Saint-Michel

Notes

Car park on Chemin de Saint-Michel, near the Alma Cersius wine cooperative.

Signposting: YellowPR® (FFRP-certified).

For further information:
Béziers Méditerranée Tourist Office:
Landline: +33 4 99 41 36 36
Website: www.beziers-in-mediterranee.com

Worth a visit

Places to visit: The arches of the Orb diversion aqueduct. Ruins to see on Avenue André Palmade.
It was built between 1745 and 1747 and caused a water shortage in Villeneuve.

To be enjoyed in moderation: The wines of Alma Cersius, at the cooperative’s wine shop, certified ‘Vignobles et Découvertes’, 3 Avenue André Palmade in Villeneuve-Lès-Béziers. Telephone: 04 67 37 77 43.

Good to know: In 1631, Villeneuve became “Lès Béziers”. Previously, it was called “La Crémade” because the village was ravaged by fire during the Sack of Béziers in 1209, during the Crusade against the Cathars.

Places to visit: The Romanesque Church of Saint-Étienne dates from the 10th century. It was looted, set on fire and destroyed several times. The bell tower has been listed as a historic monument since 1930.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Reviews and comments

3.8 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
2.9 / 5
faroldi
faroldi

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

lovely walk.

Machine-translated

OTourismeBéziersMed
OTourismeBéziersMed

Hello GIGI09,

Thank you for your comment.
All the possible walks in Béziers Méditerranée can be found here: https://www.beziers-mediterranee.com/bou...

Have a nice day,
Anaïs

Machine-translated

GIGI09
GIGI09

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A route suitable for everyone. The towpath is very busy with people and cyclists, but away from the towpath there’s hardly anyone around.

Machine-translated

Legrandas
Legrandas

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A rather uninspiring route. The ride is entirely on tarmac roads. Lots of cyclists. The route is generally well signposted. Few people encountered away from the canal banks. There are better options. No shaded areas.

Machine-translated

OTourismeBéziersMed
OTourismeBéziersMed
HADELINE
HADELINE

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Nice place, the directions were fine, but it wasn’t really our cup of tea and it was too urban for us.

Machine-translated

HenDou
HenDou

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, but mostly on tarmac!
The path along the canal is very busy (with walkers, runners and cyclists). Don’t venture out on this route in hot weather!

Machine-translated

OTourismeBéziersMed
OTourismeBéziersMed

Hello Fmadaille,

We’re delighted that you enjoyed this hike. Feel free to explore the others by clicking here: https://fr.calameo.com/office-de-tourism...

See you soon,
Anaïs

Machine-translated

OTourismeBéziersMed
OTourismeBéziersMed

Hello Herpin Roger,

Thank you for your comment. It’s been a little while since you went on this hike, but please be assured that our team keeps a close eye on the condition of our various routes.

Discover our region through all the walks we offer: https://fr.calameo.com/office-de-tourism...

See you soon,
Anaïs

Machine-translated

Fmadaille
Fmadaille

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Interesting

Machine-translated

herpin roger
herpin roger

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

In short: a short path with few signposts. An animal carcass in the ditch on the short stretch of path before you go under the low bridge.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking The Passejade del Crès starting from Sérignan

Visorando Member
La Passejade del Crès au départ de Sérignan
↔14.28 km ↗+24 m ↘-24 m ◔4h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Sérignan (Hérault)
Set off on a hike through the heart of the Orb Delta vineyards to discover Sérignan and its Roman history. Along the route, you’ll enjoy views of the vineyards and the sea, as well as the town’s exceptional heritage, including its collegiate church, winegrowers’ houses and contemporary art museum.

Walking Starting from the Portiragnes lock

Visorando Member
Au départ de l'écluse de Portiragnes
↔12.65 km ↗+4 m ↘-4 m ◔3h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Portiragnes (Hérault)
A walk exploring the other side of the scenery, behind the beaches of Portiragnes. Along the Canal du Midi, meet the barges and discover the dedicated port on the edge of the marshes. A winter stopover for migratory birds, from the top of the small dunes, overlooking the beach. Walk along the dykes surrounded by salt marshes.

Walking Between nature and the city in Béziers

Visorando Member
Entre nature et ville à Béziers
↔5.62 km ↗+21 m ↘-21 m ◔1h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Béziers (Hérault)
Walk on the outskirts of Béziers between nature and the city. Visit some of the city's remarkable points of interest. Always follow the water, in the shade if you choose the protected bank, passing through the locks (+ 2 footbridges) or along the Orb. The route is very easy as it mainly follows footpaths, with short sections shared with cars (be careful), and is accessible to children. It takes just over an hour at a brisk pace, or two hours at a leisurely pace.

Walking Between Canal du Midi and Béziers

Visorando Member
Entre Canal du Midi et Béziers
↔7.89 km ↗+62 m ↘-61 m ◔2h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Béziers (Hérault)
This route starts at the nine locks of Fonseranes and takes you on a journey of discovery through the riches of Béziers, along the Canal du Midi and the Orb river.

Walking The Mills of Nissan

Visorando Member
Les Moulins de Nissan
↔7.12 km ↗+115 m ↘-105 m ◔2h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Nissan-lez-Enserune (Hérault)
Nissan-lez-Enserune, its mills, its Parazols bridge, located on the Roman road, then on the royal road. Walk in a site offering a vast panorama, stretching from the mountains (Caroux, Montagne Noire) to the Mediterranean Sea.

Walking The beach, the Hérault and the marshes at La Tamarissière

Visorando Member
↔8.57 km ↗+4 m ↘-4 m ◔2h 30 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Agde (Hérault)
A circular route to explore the (channelled) Hérault estuary, the marshes and polders with their canals, the beach and the Tamarissière bunker site. Best avoided in hot weather as there is no shade along the route.

Walking La Tamarissière in the shade of the pine trees

Local authority
↔5.45 km ↗+4 m ↘-4 m ◔1h 35 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Agde (Hérault)
Located on the right bank of the Hérault, La Tamarissière resembles a small, peaceful seaside village. It owes its name to the tamarisk trees planted at the end of the 18th century to combat the silting up of the Hérault estuary. Surrounded by beaches, a vast pine forest and the Verdisses nature reserve, discover unspoilt nature on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. From the basalt rocks of the jetty to the sandy dune paths and the damp ground amid lush vegetation, take a stroll through this setting of contrasts.

Walking The 50 km of Agde

Visorando Member
Les 50 km agathois
↔49.10 km ↗+138 m ↘-131 m ◔14h 25 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Agde (Hérault)
This route will allow you to discover or rediscover the riches of the Agde region (historic town centre, river, beaches, marinas, cliffs, Mont Saint Martin and Mont Saint Loup, Bagnas Nature Reserve, Canal du Midi, etc.). It is not particularly difficult, apart from the distance, and can be covered in several days (see practical information).

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.