BOUCLE CYCLO N°16 - THE VILLAGES OF THE ORB VALLEY

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The route starts on the banks of the Orb, in Cessenon-sur-Orb. From the bridge, you'll enjoy a beautiful view, not only of the river and, in summer, of the bathers who take advantage of its clear waters to cool off, but also of the village and its square tower standing on its rock. Start or finish your outing with a stroll through the medieval village. Nestling between the Orb and the mountains, Cessenon reveals its treasures: the fortifications, the Saint-Pierre-de-la-Salle church (12th c.), the 13 m-high keep, the sweet fountain (no one knows the origin of its name...), the Jacquaire house... You leave the village on the D20 in the direction of Prades-sur-Vernazobre, on a relatively busy road for 4 km, through vineyards.

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Turn right to cross the Verzanobre and join Prades on the D177E2.

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From Prades, you begin a gentle climb of around 5 km. You'll still be winding your way through the vineyards, with the first relief of the Haut-Languedoc in front of you.

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Just after the Col de la Pierre Blanche, at around kilometer 10, you can take a rocky path up to the orientation tables. There are 4 of them (one for each cardinal point) in the heart of the vineyards, offering an original view of the Caroux massif, which in retrospect takes the shape of a reclining woman, "Cebenna". These tables give you the keys to deciphering the landscapes, the specificities of the terroirs and the geological environment.

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You reach Berlou, a quiet village renowned for the quality of its wines (AOC Saint-Chinian Berlou), whose hillsides retain water and store heat, releasing it slowly. From Berlou to Vieussan, the road is magnificent and winding, through wild landscapes. You alternate between bumps, which remain at reasonable gradients: first a 2 to 3 km climb to Col de Merly, then a 2 km descent to Escagnès (a village hamlet on the mountainside), a 3 km ascent to Mézelles, and finally a long descent that takes you to the banks of the Orb at Vieussan. The view from the road overlooking the village and the bridge is well worth a look!

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From Vieussan, follow the Orb along the D14. You pass close to the hamlet of Le Pin, also home to 12th-century remains: Le Pin tower, Romanesque bridge... After around 2 km, you'll enjoy a fine view of the Orb valley, set into the cliffs. A total of 9 km will take you along the river to Roquebrun. From the road, you can admire Ceps and its six-arched 19th-century bridge.

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This brings you to Roquebrun, the "Little Nice" of the Hérault as it's known here. Why this nickname? In addition to its palm trees and ochre-colored houses reminiscent of the Côte d'Azur, the village benefits from a microclimate: orange, lemon and other citrus trees provide beautiful fruit in the dead of winter, while mimosas brighten up the Hérault landscape in February. A visit to the Jardin Méditerranéen, at the foot of the ruins of the Carolingian watchtower, is a great way to discover this vegetation. From the top of the medieval village, you can admire the vineyards, the Orb river and the bridge that has spanned it since 1870. Here again, access to the old village is rather difficult for cyclists due to the typology of the site. After visiting Roquebrun, you have just over 10 km to go. Continue following the meandering river for almost 5 km on the D19.

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The road then climbs and leaves the banks of the Orb to reach the tiny hamlet of Escougoussou, before taking the D136 to Cessenon-sur-Orb.

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At around kilometer 40, take a break at the Coumiac quarry. A short, narrow path leads to this exceptional geological site, which has become an international benchmark because it witnessed a crisis that affected all marine species 365 million years ago. Fossils can be seen in the outcrops of the geological layers. Griotte marble", characterized by its red color and high ornamental quality, was used to decorate prestigious buildings such as the White House in Washington and the Maison de la France in Rio de Janeiro.

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