Montferrier-Sur-Lez: Churches, History and Castle Terraces

Montferrier-Sur-Lez combines the history of churches and chapels with the history of the Aqueduc Saint-Clément. There is also a route through the town, a former castle with landscaped terraces, and expansive views across the countryside. This gives travellers interested in culture and geology a range of specific themes to explore.

Église Saint-Etienne: several building phases

Église Saint-Etienne was built in the Romanesque style in the 11th century. Later changes included a large pointed-arch portal and Gothic columns. The polygonal choir dates from the 12th century. The church therefore shows both a Romanesque origin and later architectural additions.

The furnishings include a painting of Saint Jerome attributed to the circle of Caravaggio. This adds an art-historical dimension to the building’s history and is another reason to explore the church.

Aqueduct history and preservation

The Aqueduc de Montferrier-sur-Lez is 17 kilometres long. Three quarters of its structure dates from the 17th century. Its length and the age of much of its structure offer two different points of reference: they describe both the aqueduct’s extent and the historical character of a large part of its structure.

The construction and preservation of the Aqueduc Saint-Clément are associated with further dates. Construction was approved in 1751 under the direction of Henri Pitot, who oversaw the building work. The foundation stone was laid on 13 June 1753. A heritage listing dated 22 July 2022 designates the Aqueduc Saint-Clément as a fully protected historic monument. It runs through Montferrier-Sur-Lez, among other places, and is preserved along its entire route. Some sections serve as a green promenade for pedestrians and cyclists.

A route along the Aqueduc Saint-Clément

The route along the Aqueduc Saint-Clément passes through Montferrier-Sur-Lez between Devézou and Chemin du Pioch de Baillos. These place names give you specific landmarks for planning your route. If you are interested in historic structures and paths, you can explore this local route alongside the sections that are used as a promenade.

Castle terraces, views and volcanic landscape

Montferrier Castle originated as a fortress dating from the 12th century. It was destroyed during the Wars of Religion and later rebuilt. The castle terraces were created by transforming the fortified site’s earthworks into terraced gardens.

From the terraces of the former castle, views extend to Pic Saint-Loup, Hortus, the foothills of the Cévennes and the Mediterranean Sea. The terraces are open to the public on Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Check the opening times before your visit.

The landscape also has a geological dimension: Montferrier-Sur-Lez lies on an ancient volcano. The volcanic activity associated with the area is dated to between 30 and 25 million years ago. A stay here thus brings together architectural history and a geological history stretching far back in time.

Chapel and Romanesque remains

The Chapelle de Baillarguet was rebuilt in the 18th century on 11th-century Romanesque foundations. The chapel offers an unobstructed view of Montferrier-Sur-Lez. An active association maintains the building, and a visit to the chapel is recommended.

The Romanesque church of Gleizasse is recorded as having been built around 1080 on a Gallo-Roman estate. The church’s remains are also known as Saint Barthélémy de Baillarguet. Those exploring the older traces of local history will find here a named site with a Romanesque heritage, alongside the surviving churches and chapel.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Gignac, La Mausse, Saint-Drézéry, Riols, Mauguio, Lieuran-lès-Béziers, Baillargues, Vias

For the main travel overview: Hérault.