The Area

Our property belongs to the Hameau de Riols, which is a quarter of Graissessac. This village is situated in the Haute Vallée de l'Orb, in the middle of the Parc Naturel du Haut-Languedoc, in the Département de l'Hérault.

The region is characterized by its location between the sea and the mountains, with climatic influences from both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic. An amazing diversity of wild landscapes and a wide range of flora and fauna make this region unique.

LA VOIX DU RUISSEAU is situated at a place where the nature alone rules, far away from the usual disturbances in more populated areas. The narrow village street ends before the property where one can find a small footpath leading further through the valley. Cascading creeks, ferns and stone terraces reveal themselves within a majestic forest of oak, chestnut and other trees. On the hiking trails directly from our house, you can access a Romanesque chapel, St. Sauveur and les sechoirs, old stone structures that where used to dry chestnuts, an important source of food in former times. With a bicycle, you can ascend the Col du Layrac via a small, not so frequented mountain pass road where magnificent panoramic views all the way to the sea await.

Within a circumference of 40km you will find many natural and cultural sites, such as the medieval village of St. Gervais-sur-Mare, a station on the pilgrimage path to Santiago de Compostela; the imposing Massif de Caroux (1091m) and de L'Espinouse (1124m); the village of Faugères with its highly acclaimed wines; the Lac-du-Salagou; the thermal baths and health resorts of Avène and Lamalou-les-Bains and much more.

The next small town is Bédarieux (20min), with two organic foodstores, cafes, a wine bar, etc.. In Graissessac, you have access to a grocery, post office, bureau tabac and pharmacy. The bigger cities are fortunately further away, but not unreachable: Béziers in a distance of 60km, Montpellier 100km. And to go to the Mediterranean Sea it takes around an hour by car.