Celles, Commune in Hérault, France
Celles is a commune in the Hérault department, within the arrondissement of Lodève, in southern France. The village is made up of old stone houses and narrow streets set among rolling terrain with reddish soil and open fields.
Celles was a farming village for many centuries until its residents were expropriated in the 1960s when a dam was built nearby. Many houses were left empty after that, and efforts to bring the village back to life started only in later decades.
Many of the old stone houses in Celles remain largely untouched, giving the place an authentic look. Visitors can walk through narrow winding lanes and discover small squares that reflect the pace of village life.
Celles sits close to the Lac du Salagou, so a visit pairs well with a walk along the lake. The roads through the village are narrow and winding, making it best explored on foot.
In the late 20th century, parts of the abandoned village were used as a film set, including scenes depicting towns burning or being destroyed. Traces of those productions can still be seen on some walls and ruins today.
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