Medieval Origins (12th Century)

Castle and Strategic Importance:

Vieussan’s history centers around its 12th-century castle, Le Castellas, built atop a hillside to oversee the Orb River valley. The castle’s keep and ruins, along with defensive towers like the Tour du Pin, reflect its role in regional conflicts and feudal governance,

Romanesque Architecture:

The village retains 12th-century churches, including St. Martin’s Church in the cemetery and the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Géminian (18th century), showcasing its religious significance.

Locals swear that the Orb River, which loops dramatically around Vieussan, occasionally reverses its current during heavy rains—a phenomenon they call "le tournicoton" ("the little spin"). The real explanation? A rare hydraulic eddy caused by the valley’s unique geography. But villagers insist it’s the ghost of a 12th-century miller who cursed the river after his waterwheel was stolen. Today, kids dare each other to throw leaves upstream to "test the curse".

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