Traditional sports
The Hérault calendar is punctuated by the practice of a number of traditional games, which can be seen at championships or major popular events. Among the most emblematic activities are the Languedoc jousts. For centuries, sailors and fishermen have had their own rules of chivalry and their own tournament: jousting. All along the coast (Agde, Balaruc, Frontignan, Mèze, Marseillan, Palavas, Sète and even Béziers) and on the Canal du Midi, two teams - the bleus and the rouges - compete. The rules are simple: two boats and their sturdy rowers serve as steeds for the "lancers". Camped as securely as possible on the "tintaine", a high platform at the bow of the boat, the jousters are armed with a wooden spear (2.70 m) and a bulwark, a shield on which the opponent's spear will strike. Regulated by oboes and drums, the jousting begins, with the lances lowered and striking the opponent. Anyone who loses their balance falls overboard. The most famous tournament takes place every year in Sète, in August, during the Saint Louis festivities.
There's also the bouvine in Hérault and the férias. No doubt because Spain is not far away, but more certainly because the Camargue is the land of black bulls, the bouvine brings together all the sports and traditions that fire aficionados. First and foremost, the Camargue races are a local speciality that we'll be enjoying all summer long, in a vast area stretching from the Rhône to the eastern suburbs of Montpellier, where the arenas of all the little villages resound to the cries of the locals. These races are a codified confrontation between man and bull, a contest of speed and agility. Organized by the manadiers (breeders of Camargue bulls), these races are often accompanied by "abrivados" (releasing the animals into the streets), ferrades (branding of young bulls), and gardian games in rudimentary arenas set up in the meadows. More tragic, bullfights are also held in the region. They are part of "ferias", popular festivals that go on for several days, with their colorful stalls, music, dancing (dances and flamenco are the order of the day) and "bodegas" where the crowds come to quench their thirst by re-enacting the world or the bullfighting show of the day. One of the department's most famous is Béziers.
The third traditional sport, tambourine is an ancestral ball game. Now codified, practiced internationally and recognized, this spectacular discipline is well worth a visit. All you have to do is take your place along the pitch, where two teams of five players compete, each equipped with a tambourine (a 28 cm-diameter circle covered in synthetic skin and fitted with a handle). Returns are made in the same way as in tennis (on the volley or after a rebound) and points are scored in the same way. A must-see and try out in the villages of Cournonterral, Saint-Martin-de-Londres, Saint-Georges d'Orques, Gignac and Castelnau-de-Guers, all of which have good teams.
One of the most unusual sports is capelet. A traditional game also known as "race à la bigue", capelet consists in taking on an 18-metre pole, greased and soaped beforehand, and placed obliquely over the water. Apart from not falling, the aim is to catch one of the two hats positioned at the end of the mast. Always a joyful spectacle, and one that can be admired in particular around the Bassin de Thau.
Hikes and discovery outings
For those who like quiet walks, many communes have organised discovery tours of the fauna and flora of the ponds, the old salt pans or the nature reserves, in particular on the areas acquired by the Conservatoire du littoral. Those who do not wish to use their feet can also go horseback riding or donkey riding, an activity that is growing rapidly. In recent years, tourism managers have become aware of the extent of the phenomenon and have set up routes and facilities for horse riders. In the relief of the Hérault region, climbing enthusiasts will also find their happiness, particularly on the side of the Saint-Loup peak or the Héric gorges, within the Caroux massif.
The pleasures of water
Thanks to the mild climate and the Grande Bleue, water sports enthusiasts flourish on this side of the Mediterranean. Windsurfing, kitesurfing, water-skiing, wakeboarding and a host of other activities - some sporty, some fun - are all available to enthusiasts. The facilities on the Hérault coast make these pleasures accessible to all ages and levels. On the water or beneath the surface of the sea, anything is possible! Those wishing to experience the exhilaration of the deep can go diving at one of the many diving clubs, and there's also an underwater trail at Cap d'Agde where you can discover the seabed in a fun and educational way. For moments of sailing and contemplation, sailing, canoeing and stand-up paddling are also on the program, and these activities become sublime as the sun sets over the horizon.
The Hérault is also ideal for river tourism. The Canal du Midi, a Unesco World Heritage site since 1996, is one of the most popular waterways in France, opening up near Marseillan. An eulogy of slowness (6 km per hour), the barge lets you discover the surrounding area on cruises of varying lengths.
For white-water sports (rafting, kayaking, canyoning...), the département also offers superb terrain such as the Orb and Hérault gorges, not forgetting caving in various caves.
Wellness and fitness
The Romans made no mistake. As early as Antiquity, they took advantage of the territory's geological context to develop terms. Balaruc-les-Bains - France's first spa resort -, Avène and Lamalou-les-Bains are all beneficial places where visitors can relax and treat themselves. In addition to these spas, Hérault is also home to thalassotherapy centers, notably at Cap d'Agde. These combine the benefits of the sun with the therapeutic properties of seawater, seaweed and marine mud. All the centers are fully equipped for treatments (seawater pool, whirlpool baths, etc.), as well as high-quality accommodation. One-day stopover packages are available for the general public in search of a moment of deep relaxation.
