Bessèges (French pronunciation: [besɛʒ]; Occitan: Besseja) is a commune in the Gard department in France.
Its importance began with the opening of a coal mine in 1809, followed by an iron and steel plant in 1833, and eventually the railway reached it in 1857.
The commune was created in 1857 from parts of Gagnières and Robiac-Rochessadoule.
However, during the 20th century it declined and eventually the mine was abandoned in 1964, and the steel-works in 1987.
Today its economy is based on tourism, and it is home to the Étoile de Bessèges road bicycle race.