The Crieulon flows through Saint-Jean-de-Crieulon; Villesèque, historic buildings and wineries give the commune a range of points of interest. You can explore local history, wine and walking as separate interests. Specific conditions apply: activities at Maison Blanc Senthille are available by appointment from Monday to Saturday. The church of Villesèque is located at Mas de l’église, a privately owned property; contact the owner to arrange a visit.
Villesèque and the history of the Crieulon
Villesèque is the commune’s main hamlet and has been mentioned in historical texts since 1292 under the name Villa Sicca. The Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Villesèque dates from the 12th century and is considered the oldest surviving landmark in the area. It is located at Mas de l’église, the former Priory of Saint-Jean. As this property is privately owned, contact the owner before visiting.
The Crieulon also tells a story of local history. It is a small tributary of the Vidourle on its eastern bank and powered a grain mill and an oil mill in the commune during the 19th century. The Pont à chèvres, which is said to have Roman origins, is also located on the small road connecting Saint-Jean-de-Crieulon and Sauve. The river, mills and bridge highlight different aspects of the area’s history: from the use of water to the possible ancient origins of the structure.
Wine experiences and local production
Maison Blanc Senthille brings together several activities for a guided wine experience: a vineyard walk with the winemaker, a cellar tour and a guided tasting of organic wines. The wines on offer are from the AOP Duché d’Uzès and IGP Cévennes. The old vines grow on slopes and are cultivated according to organic principles. Activities require an appointment and are available from Monday to Saturday. If combining a vineyard, cellar and tasting is particularly important to you, bear this scheduling requirement in mind when planning.
At Château de Comiac, the focus is on production and tasting: the wines are made and bottled on site using traditional know-how, and the owners offer a tasting in their own cellar. The family-run winery is organic and cultivates ten hectares of vines in the Haut-Gard at the foot of the Cévennes. Its wines are from the AOP Duché d’Uzès and IGP Cévennes. The Domaine de l’Ancien Prieuré adds another dimension, with 28 hectares of vines and biodynamic wines, also under the IGP Cévennes and AOP Duché d’Uzès designations. One of the estate’s cuvées is aged in an amphora in the setting of a 12th-century Romanesque church. These details offer insight into different winemaking methods and origins, while specific visit options are mentioned for Maison Blanc Senthille and Château de Comiac.
Walking trail and planning your visit
If you would like to include a hike in your plans, you can follow a walking trail in the Piémont Cévenol: it runs from Durfort to Saint-Nazaire-des-Gardies and passes through Saint-Jean-de-Crieulon. There is another reason to plan for a particular day of the week: the market in Villesèque takes place on Friday evenings. As the seasonal schedule may change, check the date before your visit. You can then plan around what matters most to you: a walking route, a wine experience by appointment or the market.
Discover more destinations: Goudargues, Gaujac, Marguerittes, Montaren-Et-Saint-Médiers, Calvisson, Boissières, Vers-Pont-Du-Gard, Vallabrègues.
For the broader travel guide: Gard.
