Discover Agde walk

This walk starts on the right bank of the Hérault. From the D612, take the exit for Agde-centre, La Tamarissière-plage, just after crossing the Hérault coming from the east (Sète). Continue towards Agde-centre. Keep right at the fork in the road and park in one of the car parks along the banks of the Hérault.

(S/E) Walk to the Pont des Maréchaux and cross the Hérault. You will arrive at a large square on the right.

(1) Turn right. Walk around the imposing Saint-Étienne Cathedral (closed) on the left, and you’ll come to a square with murals. Walk around the square and head towards the building with arcades (Maison du Cœur de Ville). Walk under the arcades, go down a few steps and turn right into the street. At the crossroads just after, note the fountain on the right, then arrive at Quai Alexandre Dreuille.

(2) Follow the quay to the left. Further on, you’ll see the statue of Amphitrite and then a small three-masted ship(if it’s in port), a replica of a 16th-century privateer. Retrace your steps back to the foot of Amphitrite and continue towards the far end of the square on the right, following the street. Turn right at the crossroads, heading towards Église Saint-Sever. Pass the church (closed) on your right.

(3) At the junction, continue straight on towards the Musée Agathois. You will arrive at Place Antoine Cassagne (featuring a statue of a Nereid by this sculptor); head straight towards the pedestrian area and follow the street on the right. At the first street on the right, go and see the old house housing the Musée Agathois. Retrace your steps and turn right onto Avenue Berthelot. You’ll arrive at the old market halls (currently being converted). Go round the building on the left to reach Église Saint-André (open, hallelujah!). A rather unremarkable church, but inside there are ancient tombs from the 5th and 6th centuries as well as the Column of the Council of 506. On leaving the church, turn right. Opposite the media library building, turn left to reach a very large esplanade (allegorical statue of Science in front of the media library entrance).

(4) Continue across the esplanade in its entirety, passing a circular fountain (depicting a woman and children), then further on, pass the bust of Claude Terrisse before reaching the end of this long esplanade at the foot of the ramparts on the left, near the beautiful Fontaine de la Belle Agathoise. Turn left to reach the Pont des Maréchaux.

(1) Cross the Hérault again. On the other side, to the right of the roundabout, take the footbridge over the canal towards Château Laurens. In the park, walk alongside a large but young orchard, which is open to the public, until you reach Château Laurens (guided tours, gardens).

(5) Retrace your steps, cross the footbridge again and go across the roundabout to return to the car park via the reverse route of the outward journey (S/E).

Easy walk, no special equipment required.

Photo album here

Discover more walks in this area with descriptions or via the Visorando app here

Visit to Lanrens Castle and the gardens – see the link in the description.