Magalas

Before the castle and village now known as Magalas were built on the Magal in the 11th century, the site of Montfo on the other hill served as an oppidum, leaving numerous traces of occupation from the Iron Age to the Gallo-Roman period: aqueduct (which probably supplied water to the city of Béziers), wells, ovens, amphorae, coins and various shards (showcases of remains at the town hall.

Perched on the hill, the old centre of the village has preserved sections of walls, stalls, squares, a tower, vaulted passageways, a gate (of the four gates that opened at the cardinal points to enter the village, only one remains, the "portail de la coste", in perfect condition) and alleyways from the Middle Ages.

In the countryside, the paths take walkers through the vineyards, through the valleys of Saint Pierre or to the chapel of the garrigues de sainte Croix, to the waterfall of Saint Jean or to the banks of the Libron. The 11th-century parish church of Saint Laurent bears the name of the former lord of Magalas.

Origin of the name: "meg" mountain, "magal", heap of stones.