Cessenon-sur-Orb

By browsing the AOC Saint Chinian vineyard or down the course of the Orb in canoeing , the keep of Cessenon-sur-Orb attracts attention standing on its rocky peak. “Lo cloquièr” as the people of Cesenon call it, from its height of 15 meters sits in the center of the village and serves as a bell tower for the clock, the church being without one. It bears witness to rich stories of conquests and crusades including that of the Albigensians around 1209 which led to the dismantling of the ramparts for the first time. It was after their reconstruction, during the religious wars around 1633, that the ramparts were definitively destroyed.

Cessenon-sur-Orb is one of the oldest cities in Languedoc. Prehistoric, Visigoth, Sarrazin and Roman… here, eras intersect and atmospheres mingle on every street corner. In addition to its bell tower, you will appreciate its medieval heart with its fortifications, and its XNUMXth century church, the town hall, the oil mill, the Sweet Fountain, the Jacobean house, the medieval house, the sarcophagus and its numerous chapels (Notre Dame de la Barthe chapel (or la Capelanie), Saint Roch chapel, Sainte Anne chapel or la Capellette). …

From the castle tower to the “barri d'Orb”, small winding maze streets go down to the river while moving away from the heart of the village, we discover numerous wine-growing houses.

The throats

Views from the sky

The unavoidable

from Cessenon-sur-Orb

Coumiac abcac3a1f2234ed1a17e06f1fa5dd0c3

COUMIAC REGIONAL NATURE RESERVE

Of very high quality, marble was used to decorate prestigious buildings such as the White House in Washington or the Maison de la France in Rio de Janeiro.

On the geological aspect, the recording of the crisis characterizing the end of the primary era is particularly remarkable within the layers

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REALS

At a place called Réals, a dolomitic chaos where the rock forms deep gorges, the Orb rushes into a passage forming impressive rapids. A little further away is the Réals bridge, a beautiful work from the end of the 19th century, it has 5 13 meter arches on the bank

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FORET DES EUCALYPTUS

The communal eucalyptus forest is located northwest of the village of Cessenon on the D14. In 1958, an experimental plantation of a dozen species of eucalyptus over an area of 14 ha replaced the maquis.
In 1984, all the eucalyptus trees froze. The shoots then form a forest copse next to

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LUGNÉ STATUE OF FREEDOM

No, you are not dreaming, you did not cross the Atlantic but rather the Orb... This replica of Liberty enlightening the world, was on the bow of the liner "Maxim's of the seas" which in 1986 went to celebrate, with on board stars of show business, the centenary of

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THE DUNGEON

Enthroned on its rocky base, the keep of the old fortress has proudly dominated Cessenon for centuries. It is accessed through narrow and steep streets. Once at the top, you can admire the view before you, with the river and the suspension bridge below.
Stuck at

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CHURCH OF SAINT-PIERRE SAINT-PAUL

Probably built on a Gallo-Roman mausoleum from the 972st or 1325nd century AD, it only saw the light of day after multiple negotiations. Indeed, in the early days of Christianity, in XNUMX, the church was only a modest chapel. It was only in XNUMX that its construction was completed. This religious building is

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Did you know ?

You can't miss it because it's so imposing! A thousand-year-old olive tree is located in the town of Lugné, below the D14, in the vineyards at the exit towards Roquebrun.

This majestic tree is classified, it has a circumference of approximately 7 meters! A marvel of nature that has seen seasons pass…

Four varieties of olives were grafted onto this same tree. Unusual, no?

Explore nature

The hiking trails

Several hiking trails allow you to discover the varied landscapes that characterize Cessenon-sur-Orb:

A 13km circuit on the banks of the Orb towards the chaos of Réals or a route of 8km around the Coumiac quarry. The path plunges you into the heart of the preserved vegetation which borders the Orb.

To the north of the village, another circuit allows you to discover eucalyptus wood, the 10 km loop mainly follows forest paths, a variant allows you to reduce the walking time from 3 hours to 2 hours.

Furthermore, Cessenon is the departure of a long-distance hiking route (GRP “From Saint Chinian to Faugères) with a length of 50km.

Cessenon has many outdoor activities. The presence of the Orb, the river, allows you to cool off at the beach or recharge your batteries at the water's edge with a canoe trip for example.

A Greenway allows you to go to Saint Chinian on one side or to reach Cazouls les Béziers and the Canal du Midi in Colombiers.

Stay at

Cessenon-sur-orb

Staying in Cessenon-sur-Orb is the guarantee of a successful vacation!

Many types of accommodation exist for an ideal vacation: guest rooms, houses, camping.

The Orb waters the territory

The Orb River rises in the Escandorgue mountains south of the Larzac plateau, then, at Bédarieux, the river begins a curve to flow west and skirt the Faugères mountains. After passing the height of the spa town of Lamalou-les-Bains, it branches off to the south at Tarassac and flows through narrow gorges that separate the vineyards of Faugères and Saint-Chinian.

It emerges upstream of the hamlet of Lugné in the small sedimentary basin of Cessenon before coming up against a large limestone bar which it crosses via the Réals gorge before crossing the plain. It crosses the Canal du Midi at Béziers and finally flows into the Mediterranean at Valras.

The presence of the Orb River allows for many aquatic and sports activities. Cessenon has a large beach where you can relax. The more adventurous will opt for a family canoe trip, while the more athletic will slip into a kayak to navigate the rapids.

Tasting destination

Want a gourmet break? Cessenon has numerous restaurants in the heart of the village and outside, which welcome you with open arms to help you taste good meals.

To discover the richness of the Cessenon-sur-Orb terroir, go to one of the wine estates for a tasting of AOP Saint-Chinian wines with passionate producers.

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LOCAL LIFE

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Cessenon-sur-Orb

The throats

Views from the sky

The unavoidable

from Cessenon-sur-Orb

Did you know ?

Explore nature

The hiking trails

Stay at

Cessenon-sur-orb

The Orb waters the territory

Tasting destination

Nearby events

Research