The Aspiran volcano

Park in the car park of the Medical Centre and Retirement Home.

(S/E) Head towards Rue de la Coopérative and turn left, then take Avenue Georges Clémenceau (Route de Lieuran-Cabrières). After 200 metres, turn right onto Chemin des Selces and follow it for about 1 km, until you reach the Source des Selces.

(1) Take the path, which is tarmac at the start and then dirt, on the right; it climbs steadily, offering a beautiful view over the Hérault plain, with Pic Saint-Loup in the background. Descend partly through a holm oak wood.

(2) At the end, turn left to cross a stream and follow it on the right. Ignore a path on the right just after this. At the end of the uphill section, look out for a beautiful cypress tree on the left.

(3) Turn left and enter the basalt area. A steep climb leads to the long, narrow ridge of the ancient volcano. Follow it all the way along. Pass a drystone shelter. You can catch a glimpse of Pic de Vissou, and the beautiful village of Lieuran-Cabrières comes into view. Begin the descent onto the RD128.

(4) Take the road on the left for about a hundred metres, until you reach^{the first} path on the left (it is possible to avoid the road by walking along the edge of the vineyard). Follow this path until you reach the RD128E7.

(5) Take this road to the left for about 300 m, until you reach a horse farm on the right.

(6) Leave the road and turn right; ignore the path on the left (the stud farm) and, a few metres further on, the one on the right. Wind your way through a few scattered vineyard plots and heathland dotted with copses. Pass in front of a drystone shelter and reach a crossroads.

(7)Take the path opposite and continue through vineyards and heathland. With Aspiran in sight, it is difficult to get lost, despite the many paths, as long as you keep heading south-east. You will arrive at a place called Les Canillès.

(8) Continue straight ahead; further on, cross a ford and continue between a large vineyard on the left and a field on the right, until you reach the road, Chemin de Saint-Georges.

(9)Turn right and walk past the^first houses in the village to reach the car park (S/E).

Villa de Saint-Bézard: whenyou reach point (3), continue along the tarmac road to reach the Roman villa of Saint-Bézard, on the edge of the RD609. A major archaeological excavation site covering several hectares, with amphora production...