Cournonterral: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Cournonterral lies between vineyards and garrigue. The Coulazou, a 28.8 km-long river, flows through the municipality.

Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Cournonterral should focus their accommodation search on this location.

Nature

In the bed of the Coulazou, upstream from the village, lies L'Arche de Noé, a large geological fold made of Jurassic limestone that occupies the entire width of the riverbed and is accessible on foot.

Paths and Activities

The “Les Touats” discovery trail begins at the Vigne du Parc behind the town walls and is a hike through the Mediterranean garrigue. The trail reaches the edge of a meander of the Coulazou, with a view of the Puits de l’Aven. After crossing the viaduct, it leads back to the cars via Rue Bastide de l’Oulieu.

At the Vigne du Parc on the Coulazou, below the medieval town walls, there is a permanent orienteering course. It covers 6.5 hectares across the Vigne du Parc and the La Grave area on the other side of the Coulazou. The orienteering facility offers four different courses that can be completed independently and encourage map reading.

Culture

The Chapelle des Pénitents originally housed a lay brotherhood of the White Penitents and was inaugurated on January 14, 1995. Through lectures, concerts and exhibitions, it became a venue for cultural activities.

The Viaduc de l’Intérêt Local dates from 1870. A brochure produced by the municipality of Cournonterral and local associations leads to 15 historic sites in Cournonterral.

Traditions

The Pailhasses are an old folk tradition from Cournonterral that takes place on Ash Wednesday. The Pailhasses representing Cournonterral chase the Blancs representing Aumelas and roll them in grape marc.

The Cournonterral carnival begins on the Sunday of Epiphany and ends on the evening of Ash Wednesday with the burning of the pépettes. The Marché des Pailhasses takes place on Saturday morning before Mardi Gras in the village square. Cartagène is a sweet white wine and an indispensable drink at the carnival in Cournonterral. The Danse du Chevalet is a folk dance performed by five dancers.

Other Places

Cazilhac, Espondeilhan, Saint-Just, Montaud, Nébian, Le Pouget, Saint-Pons-De-Mauchiens, Causse-De-La-Selle

To the higher-level travel overview: Hérault.