Hérault

Hérault is a département in the southwest of France named after the Hérault River.

History

Hérault was one of the original 83 départements created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790. It was created from part of the former province of Languedoc.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the wine-growing region was devastated, and thousands of workers revolted. This revolt was suppressed very harshly by the government of Georges Clemenceau.

The catastrophic frost of the winter of 1956 damaged the olive trees, and the olive-growing regions did not recover until 1980. Many of the olive-industry co-ops closed.

Geography

Hérault is part of the current région of Languedoc-Roussillon and is surrounded by the départements of Aude, Tarn, Aveyron, Gard, and the Mediterranean Sea (Golfe du Lion) on the south.

The département is very geographically diverse, with beaches in the south, the Cévennes mountains in the north, and agricultural land in between.

The important rivers are:

• Aude
• Orb
• Hérault
• Vidourle

Climate

The average temperature is between 15 and 16 degrees C.

Demographics

The inhabitants of the department are called Héraultais.

Culture

Montpellier hosts the following festivals:

• Saperlipopette, voilà Enfantillages !
• Printemps des Comédiens
• Festival du Cinéma Méditerranéen
• Comédie du Livre
• Festival Radio-France Montpellier

The Canal du Midi has been designated as part of the Human Patrimony by UNESCO.

Tourism

The Mediterranean beaches are a major attraction, as well as the caves of Clamouse and Demoiselles.

Part of Cap d'Agde is a major nudist resort.

External links

• Prefecture website (in French)
• Conseil Général website (in French)
• http://www.canal-du-midi.org/accueil/patrimoine.htm (in French)