Saint-chinian

About thirty kilometers from the beaches of the Mediterranean, in the heart of the Languedoc Roussillon lands, follow the scent of the garrigue to the foot of the Avant-monts des Cévennes … In a wide range of vines: Saint-Chinian is revealed in the distance from the Fontjun pass.

Decorated with small squares, alleys, gardens and fountains, the village's heritage resonates in part in the appellation to which it gave its name: the AOC Saint-Chinian. This appellation covers a range of terroirs spread over 20 villages, 100 private cellars and 8 cooperative cellars.

Its history over the centuries remains no less fascinating. In 826, Saint Chinian welcomed one of the first Benedictine abbeys in the region, dedicated to Saint-Anian. Little by little, the population gathered around the monastery, to form the village of Saint-Anian d'Holotian. Pronounced “Sanch Inhan” in Occitan, he quite naturally became Saint Chinian. Today the abbey has given way to the Town Hall, with its magnificent garden and cloister.

Stroll through the streets to soak up the sweetness of life that emanates from Saint-Chinian. The Vernazobres river which crosses the town also gives it a bucolic charm and a particularly peaceful atmosphere.

The essentials of

Saint-chinian

Did you know?

Saint Chinian suffered from religious wars. Twice destroyed, the village recovered in the XNUMXth century thanks to the exploitation of water. Many mills (fuller, wheat and oil) are powered by a diversion canal from the Vernazobre: “the Abbé Canal”. If the first vines were planted around the XNUMXth century, the economic activity of this period focused mainly on the cloth industry which lasted until the XNUMXth century: spinning mills and dye works were established, while Colbert (minister of Louis XIV ) established two royal factories in the city. These productions then went to clothe rich oriental people, notably in the Ottoman Empire and you can still see certain buildings while walking through the village.

Explore nature

The hiking trails

Occasional or experienced hikers, cyclists and mountain bikers, walkers who love nature, there are plenty of choices. On the heights, the clapas, the capitelles and the vineyard offer great surprises to lovers of outdoor activities.

Hikers, meet at the Moulin for the departure of circuits of the capitelles a path running between vines, scrubland and small stone huts. From the village, two marked trails of 10km allow you to hike through wine-growing landscapes (trail n ° 44: "Les clapas" at the start of the Promenade) or forest (Trail n ° 43: "Sorteilho" at the start of the winegrowers' cellar).

A trail Oenorando of 9km will take you to the Notre-Dame de Nazareth chapel with the Avants-Monts and the Caroux massif in the background. Hiking files available at the reception points of thetourist office of the Canal du Midi in Saint Chinian.

Mountain bikers, venture out on one of the 6 mountain bike circuits. Departure in front of the winegrowers' cellar or in front of the Maison des Vins for multi-level and rich in sensations routes.

A Greenway of approximately 30 km starting from Saint-Chinian (avenue de la Gare) allows you to reach Cazouls les Béziers and the Canal du Midi in Colombiers.

Un GR de Pays Tour in Saint-Chinian of 48 km will allow you to soak up the beauty of the landscapes that characterize the destination.

Stay at

Saint-chinian

Stay in Saint-Chinian, you're guaranteed a dream stay! In a preserved natural environment, recharge your batteries in one of the accommodations available to you: at camping, Hotel, lodgings, ou guest rooms.

Tasting Destination

A few meters from the Promenade, an obligatory passage to the House of Wines, showcase of all the wines of the AOC Saint Chinian. La Maison des VIns offers more than 300 references, tastings led by producers in summer but also “discovery” or introductory tasting workshops.

The town also has several private cellars and a cooperative cellar “la cave de Saint-Chinian”, a true contemporary art gallery, which has succeeded in combining art and wine with the unique concept d’Art en Cave ®.

Saint-Chinian also has addresses for good restaurants: many restaurants welcome you all year round to serve you good homemade dishes, based on regional products.

Happiness for the taste buds!

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Canal du Midi side

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Nature side

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Roaming and long hikes

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WINES AND THE ART OF LIVING

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LOCAL LIFE

THE TOURISM OFFICE

On site

LOCAL LIFE

THE TOURISM OFFICE

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Saint-chinian

The essentials of

Saint-chinian

Did you know?

Explore nature

The hiking trails

Stay at

Saint-chinian

Tasting Destination

Nearby events

Research