an atypical season at Pont du Diable and in the Hérault Valley

See my news
Follow Metropolitan

Atypical. This is the term that comes up when it comes to tourism stakeholders in Hérault Valleyto address the summer season at the time of the assessment. For the Saint-Guilhem and Hérault Valley Tourist Office “the seasons follow one another and are not alike” in the words of its president, Claude Carceller.

Atypical because attendance at tourist sites was mixed this summer, and above all unpredictable. “There is a fact that is verified, it is that the season starts earlier” estimates the man who is also vice-president of the Communauté de communes de la Vallée de l’Hérault.

In May, the tourists were already there, but not necessarily where we expected them. “Spring was bad because of the weather,” explains Jeanne Nicollet, a professional who runs the Canoë Rapido nautical base, located in Causse-de-la-Selle since 1986 and which offers descents of the gorges of the Hérault to the Pont du Diable. For the latter, “fortunately, the month of August helped save the season which had started very badly”.

More offers

Certainly the weather conditions have surely dampened the enthusiasm of outdoor sportsmen, but “other proposals” have found followers: “We are not doing too badly for this season because we have tourist products that go beyond Saint-Guilhem and the Devil’s Bridge, products more faithful to the authenticity of the territory”, says Claude Carceller, referring to “experiences” that are now offered by artisans, winegrowers and other tourism stakeholders.

The work of the Office and its partners who participated in the publication of guides (Adventures and discoveries, Via Tao, farm visits, pottery workshops, etc.) surely played a role in this attraction for different experiences that those traditionally popular with tourists (Pont du Diable, Saint-Guilhem, Clamouse cave). A figure also supports this argument of diversification of “products”: tourist offers have increased by 32% this year in the Hérault Valley!

Live the territory

Another trend was confirmed this year: “tourists remain in the region” announces Fabienne Barrère-Ellul, director of the Hérault Valley Tourist Office. With a +6% increase in accommodation reservations on the platforms and a 2.3% increase in the number of nights, excursionism is declining in favor of staycation tourism.

Summer hits

Even if overall the turnover of tourism professionals has been stable, or even a slight drop compared to the previous year, certain accounting reports give reasons for satisfaction: Argileum, the pottery house located in Saint-Jean -de-Fos experienced a 23% increase in in-store sales. Same thing at the Maison du Grand Site which continues to progress. As for its parking lot, despite a drop in attendance, it recorded a 47% increase in turnover, thanks to the increase in prices and the optimization of spaces.

Same thing at the Pont du Diable brasserie which served 7,580 seats during the season and recorded its best results in 5 years.

Tourists from diverse origins

As for the origin of tourists, there was definitely an Olympics effect according to Fabienne Barrère-Ellul: “we had fewer Parisians”. The Occitans are the most present in the summer between Saint-Guilhem and Saint-Pargoire (20.1%), ahead of the Ile-de-France residents (19.9%).

The foreign clientele remains significant with 31% of visitors concerned. It is the Germans who remain in the lead with 10.2% of foreign tourists, ahead of the Dutch and Belgians. On the other hand, British attendance has seen a sharp decline this year.

Ways to work

“We will continue to work with the locals” conclude elected officials Claude Carceller and Pascal Delieuze, mayor of Saint-Jean-de-Fos. “We must take advantage of the demographic dynamics of the territory. We need to make our destination even better known to the inhabitants of Hérault,” concludes the latter.

With a budget of 700,000 euros, the Hérault Valley’s tourism policy remains ambitious, especially as it can count on an equally well-funded mobility strategy (8 million euros in 4 years). The objective: to make soft mobility an experience for tourists. “We are studying how to connect the area’s centers of interest by bike. This will perhaps involve the use of rural paths which allow you to discover the territory from the inside,” prophesies Claude Carceller.

Abu chapter of the prevention of insecurity and in particular recurring jumps from the Devil’s Bridgein Saint-Jean-de-Fos and Aniane, the firefighters of Sdis 34 who had set up a medical station on the beach treated 135 swimmers, divers and others. A valuable first aid device provided on site for minor injuries.

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.