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 unavoidable
from Cessenon-sur-Orb
COUMIAC REGIONAL NATURE RESERVE
Of very high quality, the marble was used to decorate prestigious buildings such as the White House in Washington or the Maison de la France in Rio de Janeiro.
From a geological perspective, the record of the crisis characterizing the end of the Paleozoic era is particularly remarkable within the layers which
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
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
LUGNÉ STATUE OF FREEDOM
No, you're not dreaming, you didn't cross the Atlantic, but the Orb... This replica of Liberty Enlightening the World was on the prow of the liner "Maxim's of the Seas" which, in 1986, went to celebrate, with show business stars on board, the centenary of
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
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
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.
There’s nothing quite like 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.
Ort(o) It's slow food and catered cuisine: vegetables produced in agroecology and cooked on the farm To be enjoyed on site in...Discover >>
A lovely little restaurant with a flowery terrace nestled in the heart of the market square in the village of Cessenon sur Orb.
The Auberge de Réals is quietly located along the Orb, at the Réals bridge, between Murviel and Cessenon. The fireplace in winter and the garden...Discover >>
On the menu, La Brasserie Lou Garric offers seasonal “homemade” dishes, with fresh and simple products; from starter to dessert. Lou...Discover >>
Le Helder is located in Cessenon sur Orb, a small village in the South of France in the heart of the Saint-Chinian vineyard. The atmosphere is warm...Discover >>
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.
Jean-Pierre Pla succeeds his father, a modest winegrower. He dreams of creating his own vineyard around the 4 hectares of vines he inherited, which constitute...Discover >>
La Bosque is a handful of vines nestled in the heart of the Maquis, surrounded by holm oaks and arbutus trees on the shale slopes of the AOP Saint-Chinian....Discover >>
In a region benefiting from a micro-climate where shale terroirs give fruity, supple and generous wines and clay-limestone terroirs conducive to...Discover >>
A single vineyard on the clay-limestone part, Domaine Canet Valette is located 1,5 km from the village of Cessenon-sur-Orb and on the road...Discover >>
Located in Cessenon sur Orb on the remains of a Gallo-Roman villa, Château Viranel extends its vineyard over 3 terroirs: rolled pebbles, limestone terraces...Discover >>
The Bousquette estate is located on the hillside, overlooking the Orb valley. In the heart of the Saint-Chinian appellation, Isabelle and Eric Perret...Discover >>
The Miquel family already owned vines in Languedoc under the Ancien Régime. Then in 1791 she took over the Cazal Viel estate, operated by the monks...Discover >>
Nearby events
CAZEDARNES OFF-PISTE 2nd edition: same madness, new edition! A pop-up ski resort in the south? An outdoor party in...Discover >>
Location: Community Hall Entrance: €5 (one free drink) for those who have not booked a meal Organizer: Festival Committee Date...Discover >>
On the occasion of its reopening, Roueïre Arts and Heritage Center presents a monographic exhibition of the work of the artist Valérie du Chéné. The exhibition Hello!,...Discover >>
With the works of Valérie du Chéné, Elisa Fantozzi, Sylvain Fraysse, Pablo Garcia, Suzy Lelièvre, Paul Loubet, Macime Sanchez, Smole & Gun Roueïre offers a...Discover >>
The Je Dis Bravo association presents Wearing a different perspective Dance workshops accompanied by music Come and experience a moment of poetry and shared play...Discover >>
Following the success of No Limit, Robin Goupil presents his new comedy! The Loop is coming to South Hérault, accompanied by his Molière 2025 award...Discover >>
New show! Vérino once again explores the complexity of the tensions that inhabit us. Anchored to the ground but with his feet in the void,...Discover >>
Kapela - Music of the Balkans Kapela is a world music group, more precisely Slavic and Gypsy music. The group takes us into the...Discover >>
Bergin Quartet - French Song Salvador ... From Laughter to Jazz The Bergin quartet is composed of 4 musicians (singer, piano, double bass, drums) essential ingredients...Discover >>
Acoustic Trova Project Quartet - Cuban Music With "The Acoustic Trova Project", Raphaël Lemonnier explores a new style by mixing blues and old songs...Discover >>
Events at the Wine Area in December: Moments of exchange and sharing as the holidays approach, to be enjoyed with friends, in...Discover >>
The St. Joseph Choir of Prades, under the direction of Cyprien Sadek, will lead our participatory Christmas concert: Come and listen to Christmas carols, but...Discover >>
The twin pianist sisters Yulia Basova and Valeriya Labertet Basova, trained in the great traditions of the Russian piano school, will perform Pictures at an Exhibition by...Discover >>
The In Baeterra chamber choir returns to the Grands Crus festival! This time with a magnificent program of German Romantic music. Schumann, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Brahm. 8 singers...Discover >>
This concert will exceptionally take place at Domaine la Madura, Route de Salabert in Saint-Chinian. The ensemble's repertoire revolves around Argentinian and Brazilian composers. The vocals...Discover >>