City Culture

Saint-Clément-de-Rivière is an atypical village because of its geography, its history, its layout...
Located at the foot of the Pic Saint-Loup mountain, emblematic peak of the Hérault located at exactly 658 m, it is the southern gateway to the Federation of municipalities of the Grand Pic Saint-Loup, a mosaic of 36 municipalities.
From the south, starting from the commercial zone of Trifontaine, where it adjoins Montpellier, it extends to the forest of Saint-Sauveur located on the border with the commune of Les Matelles. Saint Clément de Rivière is surrounded by the municipalities of Saint-Gély-du-Fesc to the west, and Prades and Montferrier-sur-Lez to the east.
Its rather original geographical configuration evokes the shape of an hourglass.
The Municipality has about 5000 inhabitants among whom we do not forget the tenants of the student housing of Bissy to the south, as well as the patients of the clinics located to the north in Saint-Sauveur.

Saint-Clément was inhabited during the Prehistoric times : we find imprints of population stay dating from this period : a part of the cave discovered during the construction of the road near the Hill is still visible on the right side of the slope of the road "La Colline".
Much later, the building of a Benedictine priory with its chapel dedicated to Saint-Clément in the twelfth century would help to give its name to the commune.
As for the coat of arms representing a ram, we find its origin in the story of this legend transcribed by the middle-school of our school for the school year 1989-90 :
"A long time ago, when Saint-Clément was still a tiny hamlet, during the summer, the days were very hot, so much so that the shepherds drove their animals on Mount Aigoual where it was much cooler.
However, one day, a shepherd had remained in the small hamlet with his few goats and sheep and, to put himself in the shade, he had settled with his animals under the trees.
The hours passed, it was getting hotter. Then he decided to go to the mountain. When he lifted up his cattle, he was very surprised to see that the wool from the belly of his sheep was all wet.
Then he dug with his staff into the earth, and the water gushed forth: thus was the fountain of Saint Clement discovered."

In Montpellier, fountains, springs and wells could not meet the needs of the inhabitants. An aqueduct was built to meet this demand for drinking water. In 1752, the engineer Pitot was commissioned to study and carry out the work.
The emergency point of the source is still in the original building that can be seen on the right side of the nursery school. From here, one can follow the aqueduct on foot through private properties and public places to the “Arceaux de Montpellier”. 1982 marks the end of Montpellier’s use of the source.

Saint-Clément deserves its title as a green village. The habitat was designed to have the least impact on the natural areas. Many of them have been preserved throughout the territory. One of the most beautiful is the forest of Saint-Sauveur which is the subject for a development by the community of Communes.
In all its extent, a preserved green thread is crossing the village from north to south.
Many service activities (health, new technologies...) were hosted within the facilities in harmony with the landscape. In Saint-Sauveur, around the high school and the clinics, the height of the office buildings was contained for a better integration with the site.
The preservation of biodiversity is a constant concern. It is the subject of regular census by students in eco-biology.
Populated by Mediterranean species, our garigue and pine forests constitute a sensitive environment protected by the constant vigilance of the Saint-Clémentois, volunteer observers within the Communal Committee against the Forest Fires (CCFF) and responsible eco-citizens who are mobilized twice a year during "Place nette" operations.

Saint-Clément-de-Rivière offers a quality of life that is particularly appreciated by its inhabitants thanks to the facilities that are voluntary and adapted to all ages.
In the heart of the Village, are gathered all the structures essential to the life of a community : the House of Early Childhood, the nursery and elementary schools, the Cultural Center and Pluri-associative Fernand Arnaud, the auditorium Frédéric Bazille, the sports hall, not far from the small shopping centre of Boulidou which also hosts the Sunday market.
In the territory of the Municipality, there are also a middle-school, a high school and a student residence. The pleasure of Saint-Clément-de-Rivière is also recognized by the presence of a few gites and guest rooms with renowned charm that are scattered throughout the territory.
The Saint-Clémentoise associative life is particularly rich in activities for all generations. The Association Forum is a great success for every school year.
The cultural offer and the animations are particularly oriented on quality, originality and diversity, always free for under-18s.