HIKE TO DISCOVER THE WILD ORCHID

1

Starting point: From the parking lot at Saint-Saturnin church square*, turn right to Tour des Caves and immediately turn right onto Verdier street. At this corner, you can see a magnificent Ginkgo Biloba in the courtyard of a winegrower’s house. *The imposing building from the late 13th century, Saint-Saturnin church was built to replace an older building after Tourbes and Pézenas were bought by King Saint Louis from the children of Raymond de Salvignac. Its reconstruction between 1632 and 1645 was an ambitious architectural project for a small village. The southern Gothic style church consists of a single nave and three bays, and on the main façade, some stones indicate a planned expansion that was never completed. This majestic church with magnificent stained glass windows illuminating its 17th-century marble altar from Caunes is worth a visit!

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Continue straight on Verdier street. On your right, you notice the current community center, a former convent.

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Direction: At the intersection with the Verdier housing estate (on the left), continue straight on Verdier path for about 700 meters. Viewpoint over the Estang Circle.

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Mediterranean flora: Depending on the season, several species of orchids and plants will be visible: Robert’s bumblebee orchid, Woodcock Ophrys, Serapias lingua, Goat Ophrys, Phlomis with tassels, Limodorum, Orlaya grandiflora, dwarf iris, wild salads…

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Vineyards and Laval Estate: Along the trail, vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see. It is in this vineyard that winegrowers create authentic and refined wines under three Protected Geographical Indications: Côtes de Thongue, Pays d’Hérault, and Pays d’Oc, which you can taste in moderation in their wine cellars.

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Olive and almond trees
On your left, you pass by a field of olive and almond trees. These trees, typical of our Mediterranean regions, are cultivated for their olives and almonds, which are used both in cooking and cosmetics.

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Viewpoint over the village: Notice the viewpoint over the village and the Saint Roch Estate (on the right). Turn right for 160 meters to join, on the left, the Caux road.

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Cross: Do not miss a remarkable element of the small built heritage: a cross dated 1680. Follow the road for 650 meters to return to the village.

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Winegrowers’ houses: Along Tour des Caves street, you can observe beautiful ensembles of winegrowers' houses that testify to a prosperous viticultural period in the 19th century. Distributed along the main axis, these houses stand out by their large façade volume, with part of the building serving both viticultural and residential functions.

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Tourbes Tourist Information Office

Local interest trails