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Puissalicon

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Hérault

Puissalicon is a commune in the Hérault department, in the Occitanie region, 15 km north of Béziers.

Its territory of 13 km² is located in the upper valley of the Libron, a small coastal river which flows into the Mediterranean at Vias and whose floods are feared. It crosses the locality on the west.

The village for its part developed on a hill, on the left bank. There are seven hills in the locality, whose hillsides and valleys are mainly occupied by crops (83% of its area). These are vineyards where Côtes de Thongue wines are produced, a renowned protected geographical indication of Languedoc-Roussillon.

The wine estates will be able to mark out pleasant hikes after the discovery of the perched village which was formed via concentric alleys around a feudal castle. However, since Antiquity, Roman villas had been established in the lower parts of the territory. Thus, a magnificent 1st century bust unearthed in the vineyards and now exhibited in Toulouse testifies to this long history.

Between heritage and wine tourism, between mountains and coast, Puissalicon (1400 inhabitants) is well worth a detour...

Geographical information

MunicipalityPuissalicon
Postcode34480
Latitude43.4581310 (N 43° 27’ 29”)
Longitude3.2359260 (E 3° 14’ 9”)
AltitudeFrom 66m to 142m
Surface area13.05 km²
Population1368 inhabitants
Density104 inhabitants/km²
PrefectureMontpellier (82 km, 1:06)
Insee code34224
IntercommunalityCC Les Avant-Monts
DepartmentHérault
TerritoryLanguedoc-Roussillon
RegionOccitanie

Nearest cities & towns

Magalas2 km (4 min)
Espondeilhan2.7 km (5 min)
Puimisson4.2 km (8 min)
Lieuran-lès-Béziers4.8 km (8 min)
Coulobres5.6 km (10 min)
Pouzolles5.9 km (9 min)
Saint-Geniès-de-Fontedit6 km (11 min)
Fouzilhon6.1 km (12 min)
Servian6.5 km (10 min)
Abeilhan6.6 km (12 min)
Pailhès7.5 km (13 min)
Bassan8.9 km (13 min)
Thézan-lès-Béziers9.2 km (15 min)
Gabian9.3 km (16 min)

Things to see and do

A discovery of the heritage of the town begins away from the perched village... It is a Romanesque tower now visible in the cemetery, near the course of the Libron. Listed in 1862, 26 m high, it dates from the 10th century. Quadrangular in shape with sides measuring a little over 4 m, it has five floors separated by black or projecting stone cords. The first floor is pierced by a bay with arches and the second and third floors have twin bays. The upper floor, finally, is lit by an oculus. Inspired by Lombardy, this tower was initially isolated, then an ogival church was attached to it, of which it became the bell tower. This church then served a priory. Then, in the 14th century, the seat of the parish was transferred to the village where the church of Notre-Dame-de-Pitié (or de Grâce) was erected. The Romanesque tower regained… its solitude and its role as a watchtower. The interior is not open to the public but this singular building can be observed from the outside.

Then head for the village dominated, on a rock at the top of the hill, by a feudal castle built in the 12th century by the Broue family. To achieve this, you take circular streets (locally called "circulades") following or integrating the ramparts of the Middle Ages (three enclosures were then built over the decades). They are pierced by three gates, including the well-preserved Porte des Pradelles and the Porte Perot. Two large towers remain of the castle, but the keep, on the other hand, is now ruined. There is also a Roman style door. Part of the castle is still inhabited and the massive walls still give the site a majestic appearance.

In medieval times, a passage and a staircase whose traces are still visible allowed the lord to directly reach a gallery inside the church, slightly below. Built from 1337 in a Gothic style, it did not require alterations. Listed in the Inventory, with a pentagonal apse, the whole building built in cut stone is vaulted with ribbed vaults. The plan includes a single nave with two bays and a seven-sided, lower and narrower apse. The church is supported by buttresses and by the constructions of the castle to the north. The "west" portal is remarkable, with its three arches which fall on capitals sculpted with plant motifs, while the archivolt is supported by sculpted decorations depicting a head, a man and a woman. The decorations are just as interesting inside: the ribbed vaults fall on bases sculpted with heads, bust figures, fantastic characters. As for the keystone of the apse, it represents the Agnus Dei.

Only the stained glass windows are from the modern era.

It is from the castle and the church that the streets start, in this case the "circulades" which descend in circles down the hill.

This is what gives all its charm to the locality, especially since several old dwellings have preserved facades of noble craftsmanship.

In terms of culture, events are regularly scheduled at the library (contact +33 4 67 28 11 78) and shows and association events are hosted in the village hall. Information at the town hall on +33 4 67 36 69 50.

It is then time to take advantage of the landscape and its hillsides planted with vines, or even the banks of the Libron, for pleasant hikes dotted with viewpoints and elements of small heritage.

Tasting breaks are obviously possible (in moderation!) in the various wine estates. Larger loops also connect Puissalicon to the other villages of character that characterize the valley.

Certain circuits are obviously more specifically dedicated to mountain bikers.

Maps and information from the inter-municipal tourist office on +33 4 67 36 67 13.

Places of interest

Monuments

Events and festivities

Tuesday and Friday morning, small market on the heights of the village.

The first weekend of August, local festival with fun and musical entertainment.

The second Saturday of September, harvest festival with meal and musical entertainment.

Weather

Thursday 28 march
Min. 9°C - Max. 16°C
Day
Night
Friday 29 march
Min. 13°C - Max. 18°C
Day
Night
Saturday 30 march
Min. 10°C - Max. 17°C
Day
Night

Visits, leisure and activities nearby

Leisure activities

Last nameActivity typeRateCity
Quad bike trek on the outskirts of Béziers
Sports sensations60 € to 290 € Thézan-lès-Béziers (9.4 km)
Ride on a restored Peugeot 103 moped
Entertainment40 € Faugères (11.7 km)
Bike ride along the Canal du Midi
Sports sensations800 € Béziers (12.8 km)
Cruise on the Canal du Midi
Nature and the great outdoors16 € to 52 € Béziers (14.5 km)
Cruise on the Canal du Midi
Nature and the great outdoors13 € to 27 € Béziers (14.6 km)

Outings

Last nameOuting typeDifficultyDurationDeparture municipality
Vineyards and Heritage
HikeIntermediate4:40Saint-Geniès-de-Fontedit (4.9 km)
Crests Vissou
HikeIntermediate4:00Péret (16.4 km)
Hiking the Béals trail
HikeEasy1:30Salasc (19.1 km)
The sanctuary of Notre-Dame-de-Capimont
HikeEasy3:00Lamalou-les-Bains (20 km)
Volcanic balconies
HikeIntermediate3:00Lieuran-Cabrières (20 km)

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Campsites

Hotels

Your holidays
A hotel
A vacation rental
A bed & breakfast
A campsite
A leisure activity
A restaurant
A rental car
A plane ticket
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