Labelled as one of France’s prettiest villages, it’s hard to disagree if you visit its tiny medieval streets and Benedictine Abbey. The village lies on the edge of a gorge that runs down to the Hérault river, its main street climbing up a steadily steepening hillside. There are numerous picturesque houses and it seems that a good number of the 250 or so residents are artists, judging by the amount of paintings and ceramics on sale. Towards the end of the main street you’ll encounter the Abbey, founded in 804 by Guilhem of Orange who later achieved sainthood.

Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert lies in the Gellon valley just North of Gignac, east of the new A75 motorway, about 30 kilometres Northwest of Montpellier

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Here you can stroll or sit in some typical shady boulevards, take in panoramas of Montpellier and the surrounding area and marvel at the old 18th century aquaduct which ends with a flourish in the form of a pool under a celebratory Neo classical pavillion.

Place du Peyrou, near the Arc du Triomphe

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Worth a visit even if only to see what first appears to be two large rockets attached to the huge entrance portal of this quite unusual construction. Its origins are in the 14th century and the other end of the cathedral is rather more conventional, though more picturesque with a small surrounding garden. The streets leading away up the hill provide some quite pleasing views of this old part of the city.

Place St Pierre

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Imagine the scene ... a sleepy, sunny Sunday in southern France. A little too much vin rouge in Saturday night? Well, what better way to spend your time than by taking a stroll through Place de Peyrou in Montpellier, a large open space lined either side with trees that provide welcome shade from the powerful sun. During the summer months, there are impressive flower beds, too.

The view from the fountain (at the far end of Place de Peyrou) is breath-taking and even amateur photographers can come away with striking snaps of the aqueduct, hills, winding streets below and so on.

The Arceaux area (down the steps from Peyrou) hosts an impressive market on Sundays, with an abundance of fresh, local produce. You're guaranteed some fun and friendly banter, too. There's plenty of choice and it's always bustling without being too crowded. Why not stock up on food at the market then go for a picnic?

Voilà my perfect French Sunday!

From Place de la Comédie, take Rue de la Loge, continue onto Rue Foch (past the arc de triomphe) and Place de Peyou is right in front of you!

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