Quarante

Quarante (French pronunciation: [kaʁɑ̃t] ^ⓘ; Occitan: Cranta) is a commune in the Hérault department in the Occitanie region in southern 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 and regional airport is in Béziers, and 59 km to the north is the city of Carcassonne, famous for its medieval walled citadel. International airports within an hour are; Carcassonne, Perpignan, Montpellier, and with Toulouse being two hours away.

Quarante, France
Commune
Church Sainte-Marie
Coat of arms
Location of Quarante, France
Quarante, France Show map of France Quarante, France Show map of Occitanie
Coordinates: 43°20′51″N 2°57′47″E / 43.3475°N 2.9631°E / 43.3475; 2.9631
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  (2021)[2]	1,791
• Density	60/km2 (150/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.

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 and 13th centuries on Rue des Remparts and Rue des Bichettes. Quarante has had a relatively peaceful history over the centuries, mainly focused on wine and olive 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 olive groves. The village has a middle school, bakery, butcher, grocery, pizza take-out, bar and restaurant, wine tasting, hair salon, B&B, pharmacy and post office.