Gignac

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Travel Guide > Towns > Languedoc-Roussillon > Hérault > Gignac

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION		CLOSEST TOWNS
Town	Gignac	Lagamas at 4.1 km (5 min)
Insee code	34114	Saint-André-de-Sangonis at 4.2 km (4 min)
Postcode	34150	Aniane at 4.9 km (6 min)
Latitude	43.6532410	Popian at 5.2 km (6 min)
Longitude	3.5513640	Pouzols at 5.2 km (6 min)
Altitude	From 28 to 286 meters	Saint-Bauzille-de-la-Sylve at 6.2 km (7 min)
Surface	29.85 km²	Saint-Jean-de-Fos at 6.9 km (9 min)
Population	5059 inhabitants	Montpeyroux at 7 km (8 min)
Density	162 inhabitants/km²	Ceyras at 7.9 km (8 min)
Chief town	Montpellier (at 30 km, 31 min)	Saint-Félix-de-Lodez at 8 km (6 min)
Department	Hérault	Le Pouget at 8.4 km (10 min)
Region	Languedoc-Roussillon	Search another town

LOCATION

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TOWN PRESENTATION

Common middle valley of the Herault of 4845 inhabitants.

Gignac is a city rich in tradition and history. Local traditions are deeply rooted and perpetuated from generation to generation.

Every year on Ascension Day, the city celebrates the ass Gignac, animal totem city.

Gignac is also a town rich in heritage. You can explore the winding streets of its surprising wealth of facades, gates and fountains and impressive monuments dating to the earliest 13th century.

SIGHTSEEING

Church of Our Lady of Grace and his oratory:

This church is located on a site dating back to the Roman goddess Vesta (goddess of the hearth). The present building dates from the 17th century. His Florentine-style facade was completed in 1648 on the orders of Louis XIII. Sanctuary in miracles, healing is first attested September 8, 1360. The path crosses adjacent dates from the 17th and 19th century. It was restored during the 20th century.

Commander of Mestre Place:

Visible vestiges of the medieval ramparts (thirteenth century) and the gates of the town (and Portalet Estagnol). In the Middle Ages, Gignac had eight doors.
The laundry (nineteenth century).

Saracen Tower of Gignac:

Only traces of Castrum still visible, dates from the 11th century. This imposing square tower promontory recalls his appearance that Gignac belonged during the Middle Ages in the Diocese of Béziers. Defensive in the beginning, it was reused as a water reservoir in the 19th century.

Rue Saint-Michel:

This is one of the two main arteries of the historic center, atop which stood the church of Saint-Michel, was destroyed during the wars of religion whose location is reported today by a cross.

Place Saint-Pierre:

Parish church Saint-Pierre-aux-Liens and organ gallery of 17th century. Facade and bell tower of the 18th century.

Place de Verdun / Place de la Victoire

Today is the shopping district of the city with its market on Saturday morning. We see the Fontaine and Molière (eighteenth century) which recalls the passage of the writer and actor in the city.

Grand Street:

This is the second main street of the medieval city.
Facades 17th and 18th centuries the convent of the Sisters of Notre Dame, the Palais de Justice, the Hospices and the Hotel de Laura (monument). This was the residence of Claude-Daniel de Lauris (1701-1776), illustrates Gignacoise, advisor to the Court of Auditors, who in his "memoirs" gives us a valuable record of life in the city from the 16th to the 18th century. Long forgotten, this book has been reissued.

Clock Tower:

Last vestige of medieval defenses of the city. One time the city was called "Tourette's" because of the large number of these imposing circular towers that protected the city gates.

Place Planol:

Navas House, 18th century facade is decorated with friezes carved with plant motifs that symbolize the wealth of the owner.

Street Court:

Headquarters viguerie *, facade and entrance to the 17th century. (* house, where sat the royal judges in the provinces of Languedoc until the revolution).

Bridge Gignac:

Cited as one of the most remarkable bridges French 18th century, it majestically spans the river Herault. Its construction started in 1776 by Bertrand Garripuy last 36 years and will be interrupted during the revolution.

Canal Gignac:

In the late 19th century to combat the epidemic of phylloxera, the irrigation of the plain wine will be organized by the construction of a canal several miles long across the vineyards of the Herault Valley. It crosses the city from the rue du Maréchal Joffre at the bottom of the tower over six hundred feet of underground pipes.

Museum of hydraulics:

The former hydroelectric plant, located on the banks of the river Herault, is an exemplary witness of the will and courage of a municipality to invest long term comfort of its inhabitants. First a simple pumping system, which from 1860 provisioned Gignac water through a waterwheel in the region called "Meuse".

Guided tours:

"Let's take you time to few hours and go discover a village full of history?". The Intercommunal Tourist Office offers year-round guided tours of Gignac. For groups throughout the year and season for the individual.
On reservation at the Tourist Office Intercommunal Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert / Valley of the Herault to Gignac: Tel. +33 4 67 57 58 83 - Fax. +33 4 67 57 67 95 - Email: oti@saintguilhem-valleeherault.fr

Detailed information
Information points	Tourist Office of Gignac
Monuments	Church Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Church Saint-Pierre
Performance halls	Cultural Space of Gignac

EVENTS AND CELEBRATIONS

Weekly Market: Every Saturday morning.
Local traditions are deeply rooted and perpetuated from generation to generation. Every year in May, the city celebrates the Ascension celebrating Martin donkey, the animal totem.

Day of the donkey: The legend says that on the day of the Ascension in the year 719, a donkey is awakened by his braying Gignacoise while Saracens were ready to invade the village. The ass and have pushed back the invasion. Therefore, he became the animal totem Gignac. Each year, this colorful event is celebrated on Ascension Day. The evening before to 19h, the donkey represented with a large frame covered with a blue dress topped by a head whose jaws clashing noisily, is paraded through the streets surrounded by costumed dancers. The mimes and dances begin when the sound of fife and drum and will continue on Ascension Day.
Sénibelet: The "Sénibelet" commemorates the heroic resistance of the inhabitants of Gignac face of Saracen invaders. This fight occurs mimed along to the party of the donkey, the Ascension Day. The man representing the buckwheat dons several hats cotton before placing a heavy metal helmet on his head. Its only weapon a long stick checkerberry representing a sword. The Gignacoise meanwhile, were armed with roots "trentanel" from the surrounding scrublands and a cushion of straw to protect the back of the blows given by the "buckwheat".

ATTRACTIONS, LEISURES AND ACTIVITES AROUND

Curious:

Les Gorges de l'Hérault
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
Lake Salagou
Circus Mourèze
Circus Navacelles
Cave Clamouse?

Specialties: Wines - Olives - Olive oil - Honey
Sports & Recreation: Caving-Canyoning - Canoeing - Hiking - Biking - Karting - Fishing - Quad - Paintball?

PHOTOS

LINKS

www.saintguilhem-valleeherault.fr	Office de Tourisme Intercommunal
www.cc-vallee-herault.fr	Valley Community of Communes of Hérault

RELATED ARTICLES
Hérault travel guide	Best places of the Hérault
Languedoc-Roussillon travel guide	Best places of Languedoc-Roussillon
Photos of the Hérault	Photos of the Hérault to view and download
Photos of Languedoc-Roussillon	Photos of Languedoc-Roussillon to view and download

WEATHER

Tuesday 14 February
Day	Night
Min. 1°C - Max. 10°C

Wednesday 15 February
Day	Night
Min. 4°C - Max. 9°C

Thursday 16 February
Day	Night
Min. 1°C - Max. 11°C

RESTAURANTS

	Le commerce Paulhan
	This restaurant is located 12 km from the lake with parking salaguou bowling 3 km from Exit 58 on the A 75 grills to fire season or winter plancha many local specialties.
	Located 12 km from Gignac	From 15 € to 20 € per person

	Le Volodia Montpellier
	Nested in the heart of the 'Ecusson', in one of the oldest street of Montpellier, the Volodia takes place in a black and white movie. In a modern scene, inspired from the early twentieth...
	Located 26 km from Gignac	From 15 € to 35 € per person

	A l'antillaise Montpellier
	There are now in Montpellier a corner dedicated to the Caribbean. Laissac Halles, Ronan and Cindy welcome you in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere at their stand tropical, decorated...
	Located 27 km from Gignac	From 5 € to 10 € per person

All restaurants around Gignac

BEDS & BREAKFASTS

	Domaine A l'aise Saint-Pargoire
	4 guest rooms in a renovated wine house, quiet and surrounded by vineyards.
	Located 12.5 km from Gignac	From 70 € to 80 € the double room

	Petite suite douillette Saint-Pargoire
	In our home, at the edge of the village, we offer a small suite for 3 persons (option 6) with driveway, it consists of 2 parts: a bedroom and a small living room, a bathroom and a separate...
	Located 13.7 km from Gignac	60 € the double room