cathédrale de maguelone

We decided to visit Maguelone after a rather odd day out at Palavas les Flots the previous day. I decided that I wanted to visit a cleaner, more tranquil beach and this is exactly what I got.We took the bus from Montpellier (where we were staying) to Villeneuve-des-Maguelone, stopping right by the tourist office and the bicycle track (approx 3.5 km) to the Cathedral. If you have a bus pass, it is valid all the way. The Montpellier tourist map also explains where you need to catch the bus. Although the map states that you can hire a bike (and pay for it on the bus), this is not true. I am unsure whether it is a seasonal thing, but we did not mind the walk. I believe that there is a parking charge, which some visitors appear on Tripadvisor quite unhappy to pay. Walk, it's free.The walk through the marshes offers glimpses of the South of France's famous flamingoes and other marshland wildlife. There are a few mosquitoes hovering about and it can get a bit pongy, but the breeze is pleasant enough to take away the stagnance.Eventually, you get to a bridge, over which there is a stop for the land train which takes you to the vineyard, the Cathedral and the beach, all free of charge. I'd recommend a short stop-over at all three. We visited the vineyard first. Unfortunately, you can only taste the wine if you are going to order some food (we took packed lunches on this day), but were fine to just purchase a coffee, which we sipped whilst looking over at the wonderful scenery. The Cathedral itself is worth a visit. A serene and cool haven, with a mystical atmosphere... my kinda place! We then walked down through the vineyards to the sea. Here you are GUARANTEED a little bit of your own beach. A wonderful contrast to the hustle and bustle of Palavas-les-Flots. I believe that there is a nudist beach further along... we did not go there.

This is a very old abbey in a pleasant forest setting. It is a long walk from the entrance near the canal so it is best to take le Petit Train, which is free and goes all the way to the beach on the ocean with a stop in the middle for people who wish to visit the abbey.The abbey itself could easily be seen in 30 minutes, there is not much information provided for visitors. You can walk up a set of stairs to see it from the upper floor. The pine forest outside the abbey is a pleasant place for a picnic, with peacocks strolling through the trees and undergrowth. We were approached by a guardian of the cathedral who wanted to know if we had moved a bench seat (we hadn't) and who insisted on moving it back to the other side of the path in the middle of our lunch. He then sat down and ate his lunch on it!The beach here is better than the main beach at Palavas, it is cleaner, less crowded and not surrounded by a concrete jungle. There is a restaurant and beach club that sells take away ice creams. If you decide to walk along the beach you should be aware that after about a kilometre eastward it turns into a nudist beach, there is a sign in french delineating the boundary between the clothing-optional and clothing-required beach areas. You have all been warned!

A drive over a causeway with flamingos either side. Park the car and walk over the canal to the island, walking around the edge and then up to the cathedral surrounded by trees. Inside, cool and dark with wonderful carving and sensitive lighting. Compare it with Serrabonne and St Michel de Cuxa.

A splendid setting on an island, a beautifull romanesque church but a horrid place to visit. When you arrive from the parking lot (4 €!), you see the church, trough a medieval gateway, just at the end of a small and tree-lined drive. But you can't go trough, no... You have to walk 1km around the island, with a barbed-wired fence (to protect the vineyards from attack?) on one side and the lake on the other, to take a rusty, back entrance resembling a soviet military camp. At last, an "acceuil" where the welcome is cold and indifferent and the info nonexistant. At that point, even a nice roman church can't make your day anymore.

A nice walk to get to this most interesting church which stands in a pretty wooded area on a peninsula, surrounded by vineyards and ponds close to the beach! On the way from the parking lot you will pass by Domaine de Maguelone - a nice modern and clean spot for coffee or a glass of wine with indoor and outdoor seating. They also have a few desserts and a little gift shop.

Once yopu are in Palavas you can go and visitthe place as a matter of interest certainly not worthto travel long to see

You absolutely have to visit the cathedral on a Friday evening in the summer when a local cultural association proposes a visit of the Maguelone domain by a lecturing guide and accompanied by a superb group of baroque singers - it's breathtaking, and at the same time surprisingly relaxing. After the visit (and tasting the wine of the domain) go on to the fishing village of Palavas les Flots for a taste of local seafood, or even a visit to the casino.

A cathedral now stripped back to its bare bones, Maguelone offers a unique insight into medieval church architecture. With very little tourist "support" - a scholarly guide and a few notices - the visitor is left to explore, to wonder, and to take refuge from the hot sun. A slight rise from the coast and local lagoons allowed a small religious centre to flourish here, which is now sympathetically restored and subject to further academic investigation. The Romanesque carvings alone are worth the visit; the no-frills cavern of a medieval church building has lots to offer. But even if ancient churches aren't what you're looking for, the location is stunning: in the midst of trees and vineyards, by a quiet enough beach (a welcome refuge from lively Palavas!), the cathedral site is set slightly away from the sea. There is a small cafe "round the back" where you can sit out in the shade, and a larger gift shop/conference centre/cafe at a tasteful distance. Park at the car park towards Villeneuve, cross the bridge and walk (take water in the summer) or catch the connecting shuttle train, or do as we did, and catch the local bus to the village, and walk down through the nature reserve to the shuttle. It really is worth it. Peace, quiet, sunshine and (if you want it - we did!) a visit to a fascinating site.

The most wonderful Roman Cathedral I visited in the middle of nowhere. You reach it leaving Palavas driving through the dunes, a special experience

A unique location for a unique monument from almost 1,000 years ago. The weather was also incredibly beautiful today, with patches of sun and blue skies in the midst dark clouds, storms -and wind, a strong one. The food in the place is also good and affordable, just the same of the wines of the nearby farm. We ended up buying three bottles.

A cycle on a crisp February day with the backdrop of the cathedral on one side and flamigoes against a deep blue sky on the other - pure beauty.

Petite escapade culturelle pendant mon stage Kitesurf au LAB Pro Center . Un bien beau site, ombragé, ou l on peut déguster du vin local . A visiter

Site fabuleux avec une vue à couper le souffle, endroit a visiter l'été pour apprécier la fraicheur et le calme du site

Une ambiance extraordinaire dans cette cathédrale au bord de l'eau. Musique sacrée qui accompagne la visite... un pur bonheur !

Visite libre ce 30 janvier, nous profitons du lieu pour nous mettre un peu à l'abri d'un fort mistral. Site intéressant avec panneaux d'info, tout ce qu'il faut pour en apprendre un peu plus sur ce lieu historique.