Gorges de l'Hérault, Natural canyon and park in Occitanie, France

The Gorges de l'Hérault is a canyon cut by the Hérault River between Ganges and Aniane, in the limestone massifs of the Taurac plateau and the Causse de la Selle. Its upper section, from Ganges to Saint-Bauzille-de-Putois, incises the Taurac plateau; the lower section runs to Aniane through the Causse de la Selle. Pale grey and white cliffs form a narrow, fractured channel above deep teal-green water, with shrubs and small trees rooted in the rock crevices.

The lower gorges, between Saint-Bauzille-de-Putois and Aniane, were labelled Grand Site de France in June 2010 under the name Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert et Gorges de l'Hérault. The label was renamed Gorges de l'Hérault in 2018. The Communauté de communes Vallée de l'Hérault manages the site.

The village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert sits nearby as a pilgrimage stop on the road to Santiago de Compostela. People have walked this route for centuries, and the abbey there still welcomes travelers following these ancient paths.

Swimming in the natural pools is best during warm months, especially in sunny spots between the cliff faces. Sturdy shoes are essential as paths are rocky and sometimes cross smooth stone surfaces.

The lower gorge, between Saint-Bauzille-de-Putois and Aniane, is where the Hérault cuts into the causse de la Selle; tributaries joining it there have carved their own side canyons, such as the ravin des Arcs, where the Lamalou flows, and the cirque de l'Infernet at Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, crossed by the Verdus.