Between vineyards and beach
Located south-west of Montpellier, Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone has a 9-kilometre long beach that is preserved and untouched by construction. It is accessed by a footbridge over the Rhône-Sète canal.
In a green setting in the centre of the Presqu’île, the cathedral of Saint-Pierre de Maguelone is a unique place where history and tradition meet. This fortress church, a former Romanesque bishopric, was home to popes and bishops in the Middle Ages.
Surrounded by vines cultivated by the Compagnons de Maguelone (ESAT), the cathedral is a meeting place where time seems to stand still. In the past, 70% of the vineyards in Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone were dedicated to Chasselas, which made it the “capital of table grapes”. Today, the commune has several renowned winegrowing operations, which offer a range of wines and muscats.
Throughout the seasons, the site hosts exhibitions, seminars and cultural events such as the festival of ancient music in June or the Voix de Maguelone in September…
In Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, nature is king. There is a mosaic of natural environments between fresh and salt water where many remarkable species, in particular birds, come to breed or feed: Pink Flamingo, Little Egret, Shelduck, Elegant Avocet, White Stilt, Tern…
The old Villeneuve salt pans are today a showcase for biodiversity and the past exploitation of the lagoon environments of Languedoc. Various protection and enhancement programmes are carried out there.
