Pinet: Winegrowing, the Via Domitia and views of the Étang de Thau

Pinet is a typical Languedoc wine village between the garrigue and the Bassin de Thau. Its winegrowing history, Roman traces and a walk along the Via Domitia reveal different sides of the destination. If you’re looking for a hotel in Pinet, these themes can help shape your stay: you might be interested in local history, wine traditions or spending time in the countryside. The places and activities below offer some concrete ideas.

Winegrowing history and Picpoul de Pinet

The houses along Rue de la Concorde bear witness to the winegrowing boom of the 19th century. Château de Pinet Gaujal de Saint-Bon is the oldest wine estate in the Picpoul de Pinet appellation and is a reminder of the wine châteaux of the Béziers region during the heyday of its wine-producing golden age. The estate has been passed down from father to son for 250 years. Together, the street and the estate show two aspects of winegrowing history: the village’s growth in the 19th century and the continuation of one estate’s family succession over generations.

Cave de L'Ormarine also maintains a centuries-old winegrowing history and tradition. At Cave de l’Ormarine in Pinet, you can taste Picpoul de Pinet. Shellfish, including oysters from the Étang de Thau, make a suitable pairing. Pinet’s connection with wine therefore encompasses both historic places and family history, as well as tasting a wine with a complementary food pairing.

Roman traces and the church

The Via Domitia offers a way to explore Pinet’s history. The ancient road later became a route for transport, trade and communication, and was used by merchants, travellers and pilgrims up to the Middle Ages. On this section of the Via Domitia, you can see two Roman milestones. They provide tangible evidence of the ancient route.

The Église Saint-Siméon-le-Stylite in Pinet represents a different period: it was built in 1877, and its stained-glass windows date from the time of construction. While the Via Domitia tells a story of centuries of use, the church is an example of 19th-century architecture.

Walking and nature around Pinet

For some time outdoors, try the very easy circular route on the Via Domitia near Pinet. It is six kilometres long and takes two hours. The route follows an ancient Roman road between the garrigue and vineyards, with special views of the Étang de Thau. The distance and duration offer different points of reference: one describes the length of the loop, while the other helps you plan the walk into your day.

The walk includes a picnic area, an information board and free parking. The starting car park is Parking du bois de la Vallongue on Avenue du Picpoul in 34850 Pinet. Check trail conditions and the availability of the facilities mentioned before setting out.

Bois de la Vallongue in Pinet offers special views of the Thau lagoon, as well as typical Mediterranean wildlife and plant life. Nature and scenery take centre stage here; the walk, by contrast, can be planned according to its distance and duration.

Discover more destinations: Roujan, Puéchabon, Pezenas, Aniane, Saint-Pons-De-Mauchiens, Cazouls-D'hérault, Ferrals-les-Montagnes, Galargues.

For the broader travel overview: Hérault.