Domaine de Restinclière, Prades-le-Lez

The Domaine de Restinclière is a beautiful public park just north of Montpellier and is a great place for a picnic or relaxing family walk. I had lived here 3 years before I found out about it from a colleague and I can't recommend it highly enough! You arrive to a sweeping view of a 17th century castle in manicured grounds, from which a network of paths and trails leads you out through open fields to the River Lez, into rustic shrubland ("Garrigue"), woodland and agricultural land. 

The site has a long history of agro-forestry and botanical research, so the place is full of interesting plants and experimental fields. 

It hosts the source of the River Lez, which is home to the threatened European pond turtle as well as the endemic fish Cottus petiti! As a special area of conservation interest it is also designated as an EU 'Natura 2000' site. 

The paths are quite open and flat, the area is very well maintained and clean and it's an easy walk. Some areas are more rugged than others but it's certainly not tough terrain, so suitable for small kids and older relatives. Also, it's completely free, including parking! It is wheelchair accessible although not all of the paths will be suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. 

How to get there

By car: From Montpellier take the D17 from the north of the city and then, after Prades-le-Lez turn left into the smaller D17E12 side-road: look out for the signpost for the Domaine. From central Montpellier it's about half an hour's drive. 

By public transport:  You can take the no. 23 TAM bus to the 'Mairie' stop in Prades-le-Lez. You will then need to walk about 2.5 km cross-country.