Saint-Thibéry

Saint-Thibéry
Roman Bridge, actually medieval
Saint-Thibéry
Administration
Country	France
Region	Languedoc-Roussillon
Department	Hérault
Arrondissement	Béziers
Canton	Pézenas
Intercommunality	Hérault Méditerranée
Mayor	Guy Amiel (2008–2014)
Statistics
Elevation	0–80 m (0–260 ft) (avg. 19 m or 62 ft)
Land area1	18.47 km2 (7.13 sq mi)
Population2	2,320  (2008)
- Density	126 /km2 (330 /sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code	34289/ 34630
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Saint-Thibéry (Sant Tibèri in Occitan) is a commune in the Hérault department in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France.

The village of Saint-Thibéry is built at the confluence of the Rivers Thongue and Herault. The old Roman Road "Via Domitia" runs through the village (Grand Rue) and some of the houses date back to 15th century.

Saint-Thibéry is situated between the larger towns of Agde and Pezenas and the cities Beziers and Montpellier and is a short distance to Mediterranean sea.

Over 4000 years old, this former Celtic village was once called "Cessero."

Saint-Thibéry Abbey and Church

The Benedictine Abbey (L’abbaye bénédictine) and Church sit in the heart of the village. Founded in the late 8th century by Atilio, a disciple of Benedict Aniane, near the tomb of three local martyrs. The Abbey Church has an unusual underground alter. During the 15th century, the Church was rebuilt on its original Romanesque bases, in a Gothic style. The bell-tower was erected in 1509 and had 8 bells.

Pilgrimages: In the past the Church attracted many pilgrims who believed that relics kept there had special healing powers. (Saint-Thibéry is also on one of the old Santiago de Compostela Pilgrimage routes.)

Saint-Thibéry Mill

This corn (wheat) mill, "Moulin à bled", was built in the 13th century and is one of the best preserved mills in the region. It has 4 wheels powered by water from the River Herault. A Romanesque tower was used to store the grain.

The mill once belonged to the Benedictine abbots and is situated beside the old Roman Bridge.

Saint-Thibéry Volcano

"Mount Ramus" offers some magnificent views of the Languedoc, Midi, the Pyrenees mountains and the Mediterranean Sea with Spain off in the distance. In the village of Saint-Thibéry there are some interesting volcanic features such as the basalt “organ” columns.

There is an ancient fort on the volcano, dating from the 5th Century BC. It overlooks the village and the Herault River Valley.

Saint-Thibéry Rivers

Saint-Thibéry is situated where the River Thongue joins the River Herault. (The Herault department is called after the latter.) The Thongue is the smaller river and flows down from the Languedoc mountains. The Hérault is 148 kilometres (92 mi) and flows from Cévennes mountains. It reaches the Mediterranean Sea just beyond Saint-Thibéry at Agde.

Population

Historical population of Saint-Thibéry

Year	1962	1968	1975	1982	1990	1999	2008
Population	1745	1888	1808	1874	2076	2200	2320

St-Thibery (vue generale2)

St-Thibery Mairie

St-Thibery-maison

St-Thibery-moulin4

St-Thibery orgues basaltiques1

St-Thibery-Ste-Marie

St-Thibery eglise Ste Marie1

St-Thibery-Tour

See also

• Roman Bridge
• Via Domitia
• Communes of the Hérault department

References

• INSEE
• Saint-Thibéry Guide