In the heart of the Hérault Gorges, the medieval village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is in a green setting along the meandering Verdus stream.
Its houses are snuggled tightly together, with roof tiles, gemelled windows…Built around the Abbey of Gellone, the medieval village composes a unique, harmonious site in Languedoc.
Saint Guilhem le Désert is classified among one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France and its 11th century abbey is on the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
This marvellous place is located on the Way of Saint James to Santiago de Compostela on a route called the Arles Route which can be followed either by foot on GR653 or GR74 or by bike.
France – Way of St-James – Arles Route or Via Tolosana- Arles to Castres
France – Way of St-James by bike- Arles Route or Via Tolosana- Avignon to Lodeve
France – Way of St-James – Arles Route or Via Tolosana- Arles to Castres
France – Way of St-James by bike- Arles Route or Via Tolosana- Avignon to Lodeve
France – Way of St-James – Arles Route or Via Tolosana- Arles to Castres
France – Way of St-James by bike- Arles Route or Via Tolosana- Avignon to Lodeve
France – Way of St-James – Arles Route or Via Tolosana- Arles to Castres
France – Way of St-James by bike- Arles Route or Via Tolosana- Avignon to Lodeve
France – Way of St-James – Arles Route or Via Tolosana- Arles to Castres
France – Way of St-James by bike- Arles Route or Via Tolosana- Avignon to Lodeve
The Pont du Diable (Devil’s Bridge) is also a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as a conjunction with the Camino to Santiago de Compostela in Western Spain.
The bridge started between 1028 and 1031 by the Abbeys of Aniane and Gellone. For 1000 years it has resisted the torrential floods of the Hérault river. This bridge features the early techniques of Romanesque art,including two main arches and two secondary arches which give the strength to the structure.
Le Pont du Diable
France – Way of St-James – Arles Route or Via Tolosana- Arles to Castres
France – Way of St-James by bike- Arles Route or Via Tolosana- Avignon to Lodeve
France – Way of St-James – Arles Route or Via Tolosana- Arles to Castres
France – Way of St-James by bike- Arles Route or Via Tolosana- Avignon to Lodeve
ICI & LA NATURE PICTURES 
A wonderful post that has made me want to visit even more than before 🙂
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wonderful photographs! Inspirational. They light the fires of the mind and stir the soul. Thank you for sharing these slices of time, history, and culture. To places I can go to, through the magic of the internet. cheers, Debi
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Thank you so much for these beautiful words. Have a nice day. Cécile
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Thank you – the Arles route to the St James pilgrimage looks gorgeous. Wish I could make that journey one day.
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🙂 …. Thank you, Lizzie
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