Quarante

Quarante, France (French pronunciation: [kaʁɑ̃t] ^ⓘ; Occitan: Cranta) is a commune in the Hérault department in the Occitanie region in the South of France. Quarante is a hilltop medieval village from the Gallo-Roman era, just 1 km from the famous 17th century Canal du Midi, 8 km from Capestang, 25 km from Béziers, and 35 km from the Mediterranean Sea. The closest train station with service to Paris is in downtown Béziers, and the regional airport is Beziers Cap d'Agde near the Mediterranean Sea. International airports within an hour are; Carcassonne to the north, Perpignan to the east, and Montpellier to the south, with Toulouse being two hours north.

CountryFrance

Area

¹

30.05 km² (11.60 sq mi)

Population

(2023)^[2]

1,776

Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)

Quick facts Country, Region ...

Quarante
Commune
Church Sainte-Marie
Coat of arms
Location of Quarante
Quarante Show map of France Quarante Show map of Occitanie
Coordinates: 43°20′51″N 2°57′47″E
Country	France
Region	Occitania
Department	Hérault
Arrondissement	Béziers
Canton	Saint-Pons-de-Thomières
Intercommunality	Sud-Hérault
Government
• Mayor (2020–2026)	Gilbert Rivayrand[1]
Area 1	30.05 km2 (11.60 sq mi)
Population  (2023)[2]	1,776
• Density	59.10/km2 (153.1/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	34226 /34310
Elevation	21–227 m (69–745 ft) (avg. 115 m or 377 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

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Installed on a Roman oppidum, the town had a significant occupation during those times, as evidenced by the artifacts found and available for viewing in the local museum. The Sainte-Marie de Quarante Abbey, built in 902, is located in the town square. You can still see the original rempart walls, towers and prison in the ancient town center on the stone roads from the 12th to 14th centuries on Rue des Remparts and Rue des Bichettes. Quarante has had a relatively peaceful history over the centuries, mainly focused on wine, olive, and almond production which is still relevant today. Quiet, with very light tourism, the village seduces by its proximity to some of the most beautiful cities of the region, but also by its natural and preserved environment. This area boasts over 300 days of sunshine a year, perfect for the local vineyards and groves. The village has a school, bakery, butcher, grocery, pizza take-out, bar and restaurant, wine tasting, hair salon, B&B, gites, doctor, pharmacy and post office. Postal code is 34310.