Riols: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes
Riols stretches from a green valley at an altitude of 250 metres to the Somail Plateau, which reaches 950 metres at its summit. The Voie Verte du Haut-Languedoc Passa Païs runs through the village; it offers a route for environmentally friendly travel.
Paths and Circular Routes
The Chemin des Légendes is a 13-kilometre, difficult circular hike in Riols. It takes 5 hours and 30 minutes and includes 775 metres of ascent and descent respectively. Markers explain schist, gneiss, menhirs, dolmens and the legend of the Saut de Vesoles. On the Chemin des Légendes, the Sentier des Mille Marches leads to the plateau and to a viewpoint at the Saut de Vesoles, which is described as a geological fault in the Bureau stream.
The Boucle Cyclo N°30 is an easy, 22-kilometre circular route in Riols, taking 2 hours and including 660 metres of ascent and descent respectively. At Ardouane, it includes the Pont aux Vélos and passes the hamlet of Ardouane and its former monastery.
The Espace Trail Montagnes du Caroux – Parcours 2 – Notre-Dame de Trédos is a 13-kilometre, moderately difficult circular route. It starts at the Place du Foirail in Riols and takes 3 hours. The Notre-Dame de Trédos trail reaches a viewpoint overlooking Riols and the Jaur Valley. As of 13 February 2026, following the most recent severe storms, the Notre-Dame de Trédos trail is closed until further notice.
Nature
Lac de Vésoles and its waterfalls offer numerous hiking routes. Together with the elevation profile from the green valley to the Somail Plateau, they characterise the range of landscapes around Riols.
Village and History
The old village of Riols includes the stone-paved Rue Basse du Somail, lanes with flowing water and the projecting fronts of former shops. The Pont Vieux crosses the Jaur and forms part of a recommended walk through the village.
The Church of Saint-Pierre-et-Paul bears witness to Riols' textile prosperity since the 16th century. The Chapelle Notre-Dame de Trédos was founded in the 11th century under the name Notre-Dame des Trésors and remained dependent on Saint-Pons Abbey until the end of the 18th century.
Gardens
The Jardin de Mamie Rose offers a guided tour with commentary through Jean Aribaud's vegetable garden; it lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The Jardin de Mamie Rose can be visited in summer by prior reservation.
Those who choose Riols as a travel destination want to rent a holiday apartment.
To the higher-level travel overview: Hérault.
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