Cheeky Detour from Sommières to Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert

Leaving the sun-warmed streets of Sommières, my wife and I drove an hour southwest through winding vineyard roads and limestone cliffs, chasing whispers of the past. We arrived at Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, a village so beautifully frozen in time it felt like a film set. Founded in the 9th century by a monk-warrior cousin of Charlemagne, this quiet stone village grew around the Abbey of Gellone — now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and pilgrimage stop. Every corner tells a story: worn cobbles, flower-draped balconies, and ancient fountains. We spent two slow hours exploring — no rush, just wonder. After the abbey and a few artisan shops, we faced the day's biggest decision: crêpes. Two stood out: La Crêperie des Deux Clochers: Busy, central, famous for sweet crêpes (the apple-caramel is no joke). Le Petit Jardin: Shady, tucked away, with divine goat cheese & honey galettes. We picked Le Petit Jardin — quiet terrace, no crowds, just us and the sound of leaves and laughter. It was one of those perfect, slow travel moments. Tip: Go early, wear good shoes, and don’t miss the Pont du Diable nearby. Saint-Guilhem didn’t just charm us — it stilled us. And we left lighter, happier, already planning our return. check the added hotels and restaurants for other highly recommended! #SaintGuilhemLeDésert #francetravel #hiddengemsfrance #roadtripfrance #languedoc #slowtravel #frenchvillages #abbeyofgellone #crepelovers #travelmoments #lesplusbeauxvillages #wanderfrance #medievalvillage #travelwithlove #europeoffthebeatenpath #saintguilhemledésert