Saint Guilhem Le Desert, France

I always found it such a cliché whenever somebody used the phrase, “France is always a good idea”but once I got to visit and explore a bit of the country I understood the meaning behind it.

Beautiful medieval Saint Guilhem Village

France forges gold, breathing culture, people and history. It will take your breath away, leaving you speechless and yearning for more. I have been to France several times and each experience is always rewarding with new discoveries. Every part of the country has its own special kind of charm: the language, the cuisine, the countryside etc. There’s just something indescribable that always brings me back.

Saint Guilhem Le Desert was a beautiful surprise while road tripping through the South of France. It is a commune in the Hérault department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. We saw this beautiful medieval village and decided to make a quick stop, thinking we could just venture through and hit the road on to our intended destination. So seduced were we by the village that we immediately decided to stay for a couple of days.

Pont du Diable photo by Grace Onyango

During the day, the village is a buzz of activities full of tourists trying to wander through inspecting every inch of it. The village is very picturesque and has maintained its architectural history.The narrow-cobbled streets lead to the main center of the village where you will find restaurants and cafes in outdoor settings, perfect for the sunny summer weather.

If you are not keen on crowds, the best time to visit the village would be early morning, late evening or off-peak season, giving you ample opportunity to experience the calmness and have the opportunity to take memorable pictures.

Despite it being a very small village, there are so many things to do and explore within the surrounding area that 2 to 3 days would be sufficient. There is the nearby Pont du Diable (Devil’s bridge) on the Herault to marvel at, Nature walks to be enjoyed, the Grotte de Clamouse(cave) to be explored, the stunning French cuisine to be indulged and if you are feeling outdoorsy a Canoe ride down the Hérault river is an original and fun way to discover the incredible beauty of the Languedoc hinterland.

The village of St.Gilhem, one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France

With all said and done I have to admit this village left an imprint upon us. Obviously because it is one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France ("The most beautiful villages of France").

The Abbey of Gellone, along with the nearby Pont du Diable were designated UNESCO World Heritages sites in 1999.

So whenever you are in South France, this village comes highly recommended.

The village of St.Guilhem, one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France.Photo by Grace Onyango

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