Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert (in Occitan Sant Guilhèm dau Desèrt) is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.

Situated in the narrow valley of the Gellone river where it meets the steep sided gorge of the Hérault River, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is essentially a mediaeval village located on the Chemin de St Jacques (St James' Way) pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostella.

History

The village has maintained its historic state. Because of its isolation, in 806 Saint Guilhem established here the monastery of Gellone.

Miscellaneous

Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France ("The most beautiful villages of France").

A part of the cloister of the monastery was moved to The Cloisters museum of Manhattan.

External links

• http://www.saint-guilhem-le-desert.com/ Official site