A small village north of Montpellier
Saint-Vincent-de-Barbeyrargues has 775 inhabitants in a territory of only 2.2 square kilometres, one of the smallest in the region, after having experienced a sharp increase in its population since 1962. His name keeps the trace of a Gallo-Roman estate, Barbarianicis, to which was added in the sixth century the name of the patron saint of the village, to distinguish him from the other parishes dedicated to Saint Vincent in the region : the Latin suffix that evolved into "argues" is found in several toponyms of this part of the Languedoc. Its inhabitants are called Vincenots and Vincenottes. The commune is part of the urban unit and the attraction area of Montpellier, while keeping a resolutely rural profile, halfway between the garrigue and the vineyards of the Soubergues.
A celtic oppidum and a registered church
The Barred Cap of Garaster, an archaeological site attributed to the Arecomic Volcanoes, bears witness to an occupation prior to the arrival of the Romans in the region, by the same Celtic people that we find at the origin of several oppida of Languedoc. In the village, the Saint Vincent church has been listed as historical monuments since 1986. These are the two most notable heritage landmarks of a municipality that has not sought to multiply tourist attractions, preferring to retain its character as a small agricultural village.
A man-made economy
Eighty-two establishments are located in the commune, of which nearly three out of ten are specialized, scientific and technical, above the department's average. Agriculture, for its part, fell considerably : the municipality had only two farms in 2020, compared with 58 in 1988, on a used agricultural area of about 30 hectares dedicated mainly to viticulture. It is a village that has kept its ladder, without becoming an area of activity or an anonymous subdivision at the gates of Montpellier.
Hiking, yoga and village life
Saint-Vincent-de-Barbeyrargues cultivates a simple associative life : a multi-purpose hall, a theatre, a holiday committee, a library, and a local party that animates the village in early July. As for sports activities, hiking and yoga are the two practices recorded on the commune, consistent with a rural setting not frequented. A local market completes the offer for those who want to supply on site without taking the car back, in a village that preferred to keep its local shops rather than centralize everything to Montpellier.
For whom this step makes sense
- A quiet break : the village has nothing to do with a tourist site and this is precisely what makes it interesting, for those who seek to get out of the bustle of Montpellier for a day.
- A yoga session or an improvised hike : the rural and sparsely used setting lends itself naturally, without reservation to anticipate or crowd to avoid.
- A step towards the hinterland : Saint-Vincent-de-Barbeyrargues opens the road to Sussargues and the neighbouring villages of north-east Montpellierrain, for who wants to chain several small communes on the same exit.
The territory also keeps track of Garaste's oppidum, and a market is held in the village : enough to extend the visit beyond the church.
Studio or duplex to blow after the north
From Saint-Jean-de-Védas, it takes about 33 minutes for 20.1 kilometers : a day trip rather than a quick round trip. For two people looking for calm, the studio offers the essentials, with its equipped kitchen and work space. In groups, the duplex offers two bedrooms and a washing machine for a longer stay. The minimum stay is 2 nights, and the A9 joins quickly to return south after the walk is over. The page devoted to Sussargues details another municipality in this sector.
