On the Tramway Paths
Did you know that once, a small tram crossed the Minervois ?
Its history
Between the vines and the villages, it once connected the inhabitants, the markets, and the cooperative cellars, creating a true artery of life in the valley.
Built at the beginning of the 20th century, this departmental tramway was part of a vast network of local lines that crisscrossed the Hérault and Aude. It transported both passengers and barrels of wine, agricultural products, or mail. A time when people took the time to travel, at the pace of the wind and the landscapes.
The Minervois Network (1901 – 1931)
Between Carcassonne and Lézignan-Corbières, a metric gauge tramway line of 66 km served the Minervois for three decades. Commissioned in 1901, it linked the wine villages and the port of Homps, creating an essential connection between the canal du Midi and the railway network.
This tramway, deemed indispensable by the inhabitants, facilitated the transport of wine, agricultural products, and mail, while making it easier for travelers to move to the big cities.
Despite its usefulness, the floods of 1929 and the competition from trucks and buses led to its decline. Operations ceased in 1931, and the line was dismantled in 1934.
Today, only a few remnants remain – old stations, bridges, walls – witnesses of this beautiful human and economic adventure that marked the history of the Minervois.
Today:
Set off to discover the Hérault Minervois by following the old route of the tramway line, in service from 1901 to 1931.
This historical journey, marked in orange on the map (below), invites you to explore the region differently, at your own pace.
With family, solo or as a couple, let yourself be guided along these paths rich in history: admire the landscapes, stroll through the villages and create your own circuits, according to your desires and your energy.
The itineraries are free and flexible: the map informs you about the altitudes, distances, and the type of path.
Update of February 20, 2026 – Closure of slopes due to the Nils storm
Following the bad weather caused by the Nils storm (February 13, 2026), some slopes are temporarily inaccessible due to fallen trees on the paths. The following are particularly affected:
- Slope between Aigues-Vives and La Caunette
- Slope near the St Germain chapel between Cesseras and Siran
- Slope between Pépioux and Olonzac
- Slope between Olonzac and Lake Jouarres (construction area).
For more details, please consult the PDF map: the closed sections are indicated there in dotted lines.
