Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare is a town in the Herault in Occitan region, 35 km southwest of Lodeve, bordering the Aveyron.
The territory of the vast city of 24 km² ranges from 280 to 940 meters, is between two passes: one of the Thirteen Winds south, which opens on the Orb valley, and of the Cross Munis, northwest, overlooking the pathways in Lacaune (Tarn) and Brusque (Aveyron).
Composed of a village and several hamlets, the town is crossed by the Mare, whose floods have repeatedly affected the lands and homes.
The village developed in medieval times, 350 m, step on the path of Saint-Jacques from Arles. It depends under the old regime of the diocese of Castres but the civil court of Béziers. One time, during the Revolution, it is even linked to the Tarn.
Economic activity related to forests of chestnut and oak: long Saint-Gervais is renowned for its barrels, its fence posts and chestnuts... Coal is the same product. Today, agriculture and forestry are complemented by tourism.
cash nature town now almost 900 inhabitants, Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare highlights indeed its heritage, its history and its environment and proves a pleasant step remaining close to the coast (one hour drive).
A discovery of the locality of heritage begins with the town and its old center with picturesque streets. It developed in the heart of the ramparts which remain only remains at the foot of an ancient feudal castle.
The Parish Church of St. Gervais and St. Protais worth a detour: Romanesque, it was completed in the thirteenth century and was burned down during the Wars of Religion. Rebuilt in the seventeenth, it includes a single nave with three bays covered with barrel vaults, the side walls of origin have been identified, but covered with plaster. As for the facade with its neo-Gothic main gate, it was rebuilt in the nineteenth. Inside, the funeral chapel Peter said Tristan Guilhem II, High Steward of France is decorated in flamboyant style uncommon in the region. As for the wall paintings of the vault, they are due to Pauthe Jacques (1809-1889), also author of the painted decoration of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist of Perpignan. The church has been protected since 2017 as historical monuments.
Other notable buildings, the chapel of the White Penitents, which houses a magnificent altarpiece of the seventeenth century and the Chapel of Our Lady of Loreto.
Then you visit the site Neyran, a few hundred meters northwest of the village on a ridge, dropped from the fifteenth century, there was a village here around a primitive castle (late tenth) a chapel of the eleventh and a residential castle of the fourteenth. Today in ruins, many stones have been reused over the centuries in the village of Saint-Gervais, the site is now highlighted and the bell tower of the abbey has been a modest, listed since 1928, allows identify the remains. They are secure and distinguish the foundations of solid ramparts, lookout posts, a semi-cave dwellings, and an ingenious system of rainwater harvesting, besides the ruins of the church. Guided tours in summer. Information +33 4 67 23 68 88.
Back in the village, it should stop at the Cevennes House, which houses a museum and a tourist information center.
Formed thanks to donations from the villagers and the Mare Valley, the collections presented evoke firstly the habitat and the interiors of the early twentieth century and then of businesses: cercliers, nailers and sonnaillers. A second room presents the other two historic sites of the area: the pre-Romanesque chapel of Saint Laurent Fereirolles and the castrum Neyran. Temporary exhibitions are also planned in season. Museum open daily. Free admission.
It is also the home of the Cevennes House that visitors and tourists get all information for making hiking and biking trails including small heritage elements (bridges, chapels), areas rich ecosystem for their or their views and landscapes, when he's not take the old path of Saint-Jacques (now called GR 653). Contact the +33 4 67 23 68 88.
Note that this steep green territory but can also be the subject of horse riding with the Ranch of the Mare Valley. Information at +33 4 67 23 61 60.
Finally, Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare belonging to the Regional Natural Park of Haut Languedoc that program regularly exhibitions, activities and excursions, it is advisable to contact +33 4 67 97 38 22.
The first weekend in June: festival of art and nature with entertainment, excursions and exhibitions.
In June, The Unforeseen offer artistic career with exhibitions in the streets and shops of the town.
The first Sunday of July, festival of old trades.
The last weekend of October, the "castagnade" offers fun activities and gourmet around chestnuts and a local market.
The first Sunday of December, Christmas market.
From December to February, animated nativity scene at the White Penitents Chapel.
In addition, throughout the year, on Thursday morning the market to discover the flavors of the Haut Languedoc.
Expo : 11 Éditions les Imprevus au Village
- From 1 to 30 june 2024
- L'espace de vie social, Grandir ensemble presents the 11th edition of Imprévus au village. An exhibition of works by local artists, both professional and amateur. Come and stroll through the streets of Saint Gervais sur Mare. - June 1,10:30am : stroll and presentation of works by the artists.
Les Mercredis au Pays - Pisciculture l'Echo des Sources - 19 Juin 2024
- On 19 june 2024
- Route de Castanet le Bas
- Wednesday june 19 ? 17h00 - PISCICULTURE L ? echo des sources - Christine carriere ? Saint gervais sur mare - Discover the grounds of the Pisciculture Bio farm, with its various ponds fed by water from the Mare, a river recognized for its excellent quality, and the profession of "freshwater fish farmer", with a farm of fario trout (only French) and rainbow trout. - Presentation of her processing workshop, and an original tasting of a few dishes with different preparations. - 5:00 pm at La Pisciculture - Duration 2h? free of charge - Reservations required : Bédarieux Grand Orb Tourist Office : 04 67 95 08 79
