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Hérault combines nature with culture in its botanical gardens, beaches, castles, art museums and hiking paths.

HERAULT - EN

An incredible seafront cathedral, coastal vineyards, and a beach where pink flamingos frolic... You'll find all this in Villeneuve lès Maguelone, southwest of Montpellier. It’s the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon escapade. Stop over on the Maguelone peninsula to take in natural beauty as far as the eye can see: pink flamingos, seagulls, egrets, avocets, and more. Don’t miss a tour of the Maguelone Cathedral. Then take the time to lose yourself in the vineyards. Yes, the cathedral is surrounded by land and sea, as well as a lagoon and vineyards. Absolutely sublime. A 25-minute drive from the Hotels Mercure in Montpellier. ©Istock by Gettyimages

Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone

In the 16th century, Montpellier was the great capital of botany. The Royal Garden of Montpellier, the oldest in France – created in 1593 – reminds us that its origins are connected to the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine. Today, this spot remains one of the city’s green lungs. It offers delightful tranquility, refinement, and freshness. As you stroll along, you’ll discover a bamboo forest, orange trees, a century-old lote tree, a lotus pond, a greenhouse featuring a number of cactus species, an aromatic garden, and more. And don’t leave without making a wish at the tree known as Le Phillaire. A 15- to 20-minute walk from the Hotels Mercure in Montpellier. ©Istock by Gettyimages

Jardin des Plantes de Montpellier

This site offers a dazzling diversity of natural habitats, including lagoons, salt marshes, reed beds, and salt meadows. Departing from the Maison de la Nature de Lattes, hiking paths are marked out to indicate the varied wildlife here, including pink flamingos, herons, European pond turtles, white storks, and more. The reserve is home to 170 species of birds. If you’re departing from Port Marianne, you can take the bike path through the reserve to the beach. For more information, please consult [www.ville-lattes.fr/service-nature/](http://www.ville-lattes.fr/service-nature/). A 20-minute drive from the Hotels Mercure in Montpellier and 30 minutes from Hotel Mercure Grande Motte. ©Istock by Gettyimages

Réserve du Méjean

Fine and costume jewelry, furs, ceramics, glass, leather and paper goods... Thirteen craftspeople and seventeen workshop boutiques welcome you at the heart of historical Montpellier. Watch them perform age-old techniques as you shop their wares. You might even go one step further to learn the skills behind ceramics, leatherwork, stained glass, and so on. For more information, please consult [atelierstroch.com](http://atelierstroch.com). A 15- to 20-minute walk from the Hotels Mercure in Montpellier. ©Istock by Gettyimages

Les Ateliers Saint-Roch

There’s no better way to discover the Thau Lagoon, the largest lake in Occitania, than this boat ride conceived by fishers and shellfish farmers to discover their vocations. Departure from the port of Marseillan all year round. The guide is also professional fisher who is eager to pass along her love for her profession and this environment. She invites you to discover the oysters of this lagoon, and will take you to the mouth of the Canal du Midi, a listed site. The excursion lasts for an hour and a half. For more information and to reserve, please consult [promenade-bateau-marseillan.com](http://promenade-bateau-marseillan.com). A 35-minute drive from Hotel Mercure Béziers and 20 minutes from Hotel Mercure Golf Cap d'Agde. ©Istock by Gettyimages

L'Etoile de Thau IV in Marseillan

Based on archaeological and historical research, this exhibition explores the aromatic substances used in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Etruria. Visitors discover the fragrant atmosphere of the ancient Mediterranean through some hundred works and innovative sensory mechanisms. A number of pieces are exceptionally on loan from Musée du Louvre. For more information, please consult <http://museearcheo.montpellier3m.fr/>. A 25-minute drive from the Hotels Mercure in Montpellier and 20 minutes from Hotel Mercure La Grande Motte Le Port. @Arnaud Fafournoux/Wikimedia Commons

HERAULT - EN

Jardin des Plantes de Montpellier

Site archéologique Lattara-musée Henri Prades

Les Ateliers Saint-Roch

Réserve du Méjean

Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone

L'Etoile de Thau IV in Marseillan