From Saint Gilles the road continues through the Petite Camargue, then turns north into the vast wine region of Gard/Hérault, where the frequency of villages increases, as well as your options of alternative roads, if you choose to take a detour. Eventually you wind up in Montpellier, capital of Languedoc, and well worth a couple nights stay. There is pilgrims lodging here.

Heading northwest from Montpellier you wind through the garrigue to Saint Guilhem le Désert, one of the most beautiful villages in France, and home to an ancient monastery (a pilgrimage site in its own right). There are several options for accommodation here, including reasonably-priced hotels and hikers lodging.

After you leave St. Guilhem you ride into Upper Languedoc and some climbing. The route now heads up to a high, beautiful valley, before descending into Lodève, where you will find another very old church, plus a great museum and plenty of accommodation.

From Lodève you continue to ride through the low mountains to the pretty village of Lunas, and the equally lovely Orb river. Take the road that follows the meandering river south, till you reach La Tour sur Orb, where you turn right and climb up to the D922, which takes you up higher into Upper Languedoc, and eventually to the ‘border’ with the Midi-Pyrénées.

The route continues to Spain. Here’s a map showing the general direction, if you want to follow it all the way.