Lodève is a commune in the Hérault département in the Occitainie region in southern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department. The derivation of the city's name is the gaulois Luteva, composed of lut-, swamp, mud + suffix -eva. It might therefore translate as the muddy place or the swamp city.

Places worth visiting include:-

• Lodève Cathedral Cathédrale Saint-Fulcran de Lodève), parts of which date from the sixth century.
• Museum Fleury (temporary art exhibitions (mainly paintings) and archeology permanent collection).
• Halle Dardé, dedicated to local sculptor Paul Dardé.
• L'Atelier national du tapis de Lodève, the French state carpet-making workshop (visits arranged by Tourist Office, Lodève).
• Grotte de Labeil.
• Saint-Michel de Grandmont Priory and its dolmen.
• Lerab Ling: Buddhist Temple in traditional Tibetan form.