EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

Eight kilometres west of Gignac, the market town of CLERMONT-L'HÉRAULT - accessible by bus from Montpellier - is a rather dull little cantonal capital, whose only recommendation is that it is a good jumping-off point for visiting the area around Lac Salagou to the west. The only thing of interest you'll find here is a thirteenth-century church , fortified in the fourteenth century to defend it against the English.

The tourist office (Mon-Sat 9am-noon & 2-6pm, Sun 10am-noon; tel 04.67.96.23.86, fax 04.67.96.98.58) is at 9 rue René-Gosse, close to the cathedral. By far the best place to stay is Le Terminus , on allées Roger-Salengro, near the old station (tel 04.67.88.45.00, fax 04.67.88.45.19; 220-300F/¬34-46), with a good restaurant (from 87F/¬13.27). If you're camping , head for the year-round site Le Salagou (tel 04.67.96.13.13), northwest of Clermont near the lake. Reasonable meals can be had at the Restaurant des Remparts , on place de la République (closed Tues; menus from 65F/¬9.91), or try l'Arlequin , tucked under the south wall of the cathedral on place St-Paul (closed Sun & Mon; menus from 80F/¬12.20), for a more refined dining experience.