Cirque de Moureze

Visit Cirque de Moureze, Languedoc-Roussillon

Mourèze is in the Herault department of Languedoc-Roussillon, in the Massif Central 10 km west of Clermont-l'Herault and north of Pezenas.

The village is visited for the natural spectacle that stands at its feet - the Cirque de Mourèze. The Cirque is an extensive natural amphitheatre (it covers almost 1000 acres / 300 hectares) of dolomites - dolomites are the hard upright rocks that remain standing when water and wind erosion has worn away the softer rock around them.

Exploring the Cirque de Moureze

Start your visit at the Parc des Courtinals which has the best sweeping view of the cirque, and a 'table d'orientation' explaining the major formations and landmarks. There is also also a small museum explaining the geology and history of the people who once lived here, and a reconstructed iron age hut.

There are several marked trails that lead through the cirque, of varying length taking between one hour and three hours to complete. Be sure to explore one of these because it is close up that the landscape is most strange and fascinating, in the most intact 'cirque of dolomites' in Europe.

Strange standing rock formations, worn by the rain over millions of years, emerge from the undergrowth often seeming to take the forms of various animals and structures - many of the rocks have been given names by the more romantically inclined.

The region around the Cirque de Moureze has also been occupied since prehistoric times, certainly 9000 years ago, and there are remains of more recent iron-age dwellings.

Highly recommended for a visit, with scenery that is both fascinating and awe-inspiring. If you are visiting during the height of summer try to visit the cirque quite early in the morning, and always bring water - it gets very hot exploring and natural shade is hard to find.

Places close to Cirque de Moureze

The village of Mourèze itself, a small village of ancient houses centred around the 12th century gothic style Church of Sainte-Marie and with the ruins of a small ancient castle on a rock above the village, is in the heart of this picturesque setting and a pleasant village to stroll around.

The Lac de Salagou, a few kilometres north of the Cirque de Moureze, is a popular lesisure lake for sunbathing, swimming and various water based activities.

Suggested places to visit near Cirque de Moureze, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Roquebrun 29km; Meze 29km; Bouzigues 31km; Etang de Thau 31km; Balaruc-le-Vieux 32km; Beziers 32km; Marseillan 32km; La Couvertoirade 33km; Agde 36km; Olargues 36km; Sete 36km; Enserune 40km; Saint-Chinian 40km; Montpellier 42km; Cap d'Agde 42km; Le Vigan 46km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Cirque de Moureze

Cirque de Moureze tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Cirque du Moureze - site of natural beauty (0km) : Valle du Salagou - grand site of france (4km) : Parc et jardin du château de Margon - remarkable garden (15km) : Grotte de la Clamouse - site of natural beauty (18km) : Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert / Gorges de l'Herault - grand site of france (20km) : Jardin des carrières de Saint-Adrien - remarkable garden (22km) : Etang de Thau - site of natural beauty (32km) : Cirque de Vissec - site of natural beauty (32km) :

French version: see Cirque de Moureze (Francais)