Cessenon-sur-Orb
Cessenon -sur -Orb is a commune with 2098 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Hérault in the Languedoc- Roussillon region.
History
The area around the church Cessenon -sur -Orb has been inhabited since prehistoric times, dolmens, grave mound and flints far from Lugné were found. From Roman times, the remains of amphorae, graves, grave reliefs and villas come. Then place under the influence of the Visigoths and then the Saracens, the Muslim graves, Norias and water pumping stations was left behind.
However, the time of the Middle Ages left most traces in the form of the city walls and the keep - now the town's landmark, as well as a large number of manuscripts.
The castellany, whose capital was Cessenon, once extended over 29,805 acres with a total of 15 villages and settlements.
The castle and the castle, but was finally destroyed in 1633, according to the Decree of 6 October from Louis XIII. and Richelieu. The ruins of the keep today enthroned in the heart of the upper town.
Economy
At that time, were the main sources of income agriculture and livestock.
The fields in the plain of the River Orb were suitable for cultivation and offered fertile pastures for animals, especially sheep and goats.
Much of the land was dedicated to fruit growing and planting of olive trees.
Originally only the most difficult to farming areas were used for wine production, but after the severe winter of 1709 and 1789 almost all olive trees - whose oil was one of the main sources of income - destroyed, was gradually added to the extreme conditions less susceptible grapevines preference.
Cessenon underwent major changes brought about by the industrial revolution with the establishment of manufactories for linen (from 1720), which - were accepted with great enthusiasm - to the gradual decline in the mid-nineteenth century.
At the same time, the wine growers were forced to distill the overproduction of wine. Initially, this work was done only by moving burners ( " Brûleurs " ), who moved with their distillery through the villages until around 1810 small, fixed distilleries were established.
Cessenon -sur -Orb has deposits of mineral raw materials: marble, sandstone, lignite and clay.
The degradation of the very rare red marble at Coumiac which it. Down to the " Red Room " of the White House in Washington, DC has brought, was operated by the 15th century until 1975.
However, the most important raw material was the tone that was used to build and was fired after 1860 to 1955 Brickyard Cathala - Riche nearby.
The production was shipped via the meantime disused rail network to Beziers.
Today's economy of Cessenon -sur -Orb lives mainly on viticulture and tourism.
The wine -growing area consists of two parts: the AOC (AOC Saint -Chinian AOC Coteaux du Languedoc and ) and the fields where simple country wine (Vin de pays and Vin de Pays of Cessenon de l' Hérault) are produced. A large part of production is exported for blending.
An important part of the revenue now supplies the tourism with the campsite on the banks of the River Orb, a canoe and kayak school, the feast days on 14 July and 15 August, and the many things to do (swimming, hiking, horseback riding, etc.).
Attractions
Cessenon has Coumiac with an extraordinary geological formation where you can admire fossils in cherry-red " marble ".
Additional points of interest of the community are the church of the XIV century with the adjoining square, the fort, the bell tower, the last remnant of the castle with its church of the XII. Century and the bridge over the Orb.