Saint-Chinian was founded by monks in 825 AD who built a monastery here. They then went on to create vineyards that saw the start of the prosperous local economy.

Today, wine continues to be the main industry and free tasting sessions are available at wines are available from local, friendly producers, with the closest right next door at Maison des Vins. St Chinian Red wine is the usual tipple, but rose is also made. Bottles can be bought very cheaply, or you can purchase by the litre at the Coop on the edge of the town.

Every Thursday and Sunday, one of the best markets in the area literally arrives at your doorstep! The stalls abound with fresh, locally grown seasonal produce, including goats cheeses, oysters and seafood, meat and fish, and fresh fruit and vegetables.

Several restaurants and cafe bars are all within walking distance offering a variety of delightful French fare.

For general shopping, there is a Spar supermarket a two minutes walk across the square, and a larger supermarket, an Intermarche, is only a 5 minute walk across the river or 2 minutes by car. There are also three boulangeries in the town, a pharmacy, and a newsagents and tabac.

The area surrounding Saint-Chinian, and the nearby Haut Languedoc Natural Park, is a great place for walking and bike rides. A board on the square shows the walks available from the doorstep that meander through the vineyards and up into the wonderful hills surrounding the village, with amazing views.

The picturesque village of Roquebrun, is perched over the banks of the river Orb and has a Mediterranean garden that is well worth a visit. The river beach is used for picnics, swimming as well as trout fishing.

Béziers is an excellent town for shopping. It has shops and stores of all sizes, from the Polygone shopping mall, the Galeries Lafayette department store to small trendy boutiques.