The Map of Ceressou in Fontès

A modified version of aPR® of the same name with an easier start for parking and a crossing of the River Boyne via the bridge on the D174. ThePR® ford before Ceressou is very often impassable. Otherwise, the rest of the route is identical.
Le Plan du Ceressou is an ancient volcano. Curiously, its name has changed in recent years from Ceressou to Celessou on IGN maps.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.83 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 551 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 535 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 669 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 207 ft

Description of the walk

Car park at Saint-Hippolyte Church in Fontès.

(S/E) Opposite the church, turn right onto Chemin de l'Église towards the village until you reach the wayside shrine, then follow Rue de la Calade to the right for a few dozen metres.

(1) Turn left onto Rue du Capelan Mort, then successively left onto Rue des Artisans and right onto Rue de la Victoire to reach the roundabout in front of the Town Hall. Turn left onto Rue de l'Horloge, then continue right onto Promenade du Château and Rue Paul Bert. Turn left for a short stretch along Boulevard de la République, followed by Rue de la Traversette.

(2) Turn left onto Rue des Lavandières, which bends to the right before joining Avenue Jean Moulin; follow this to the left until you reach a junction with a pine tree near the river.

Markings end

(3) The difficult ford is ahead; ignore it and take the path on the right running parallel to the river. At the junction of the D124 and the D174, turn left onto the latter, cross the bridge and pass through the vineyard below, past a wayside cross. About 200 m further on, turn left onto a small road until you reach another wayside cross.

Resumption of signposting

(4) After the wayside shrine, head up to the right along the sunken path, then through the vineyards; after passing an olive grove, continue along the path beneath the oak trees to reach Plan du Ceressou after taking a sharp left-hand bend.

(5) Head straight on along the path that follows the edge of the plateau to the end.

(6) Take the path leading down to the left, following the markings to the vineyards and then towards a ford on the Boyne.

(7) Do not cross the river here, but turn left onto a tarmac road to reach another riverbed. Cross the river and follow Avenue de la Boyne to the end. Go round the church and cemetery on the right, taking Rue des Romarins then Rue des Amandiers, and head for the car park at Saint-Hippolyte Church (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 289 ft - Car park at Saint-Hippolyte Church
  2. 1 : mi 0.15 - alt. 295 ft - Rue du Capelan Mort
  3. 2 : mi 0.5 - alt. 259 ft - Rue des Lavandières
  4. 3 : mi 0.9 - alt. 220 ft - Fork in the ford
  5. 4 : mi 1.47 - alt. 230 ft - Calvary, sunken lane on the right
  6. 5 : mi 2.02 - alt. 636 ft - Map of Ceressou, straight ahead
  7. 6 : mi 2.31 - alt. 669 ft - End of the Map of Ceressou, on the left
  8. 7 : mi 2.81 - alt. 240 ft - Erase on the - Boyne (rivière) - Affluent de l'Hérault
  9. S/E : mi 3.83 - alt. 289 ft - Car park at Saint-Hippolyte Church

Notes

The walk is easy and presents no particular difficulties.

Do not undertake this walk after heavy rain as the ford on the return route may be submerged and you will need to take off your shoes to cross.

Take care when following the D174 road.

The Topological and Etymological Dictionary of the Hérault validates the name "Celessou": Map of CELESSOU (Fontès), derived with suff. -on (probably diminutive) from SEILHES (land registry), the former name of St Martin in that commune, approx. 1 km to the east: ecclesiam S. Martini de Saliente, 1106.

Worth a visit

Saint Hippolyte Church.
The view from above over the plain, the coast on a clear day and the village of Fontès.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
pierrette8189
pierrette8189

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

pleasant and varied in terms of landscape

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Jipé59
Jipé59

A pleasant walk through the volcanic hills of Fontès
Please note: I recommend following the signposts and not straying from the route at point 3, as this alternative takes you onto a very busy road with little to offer...

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FFlorian34
FFlorian34

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk I went on with my 5- and 8-year-old children. It wasn’t particularly difficult, and I highly recommend it.

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Milady
Milady
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Today’s hike. A very pleasant walk with clear signposting. You wouldn’t expect such unobstructed views from the top of the hill! Even though the sky was quite overcast, the view was still breathtaking, especially for such an accessible hike. 🌥️
The ‘wooded’ section is over quickly; it isn’t the longest part of the trail but it’s very pleasant and well-shaded, which must be lovely on sunny days.
⚠️ The ford was passable; no trouble crossing at all!

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b-attitude11
b-attitude11

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Top marks for the village tour. Although the climb up to the volcano is made a bit of a struggle by the scree, the site is of great geological interest: lava flows, volcanic bombs, etc. What’s more, you can see fossil fragments. At the top, magnificent views of the landscape: Mont Saint-Loup in Cap d’Agde, the Pyrenees, the Cévennes, the Pic du Vissou and the start of the Salagou Balcony. A very lovely walk.

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