The birthplace of Pierre-Paul Riquet, founder of the Canal du Midi, Béziers combines its age-old architecture with the beauty of the Orb, Hérault's emblematic river. A majestic monument, cherished by architecture-lovers, towers over its waters: the Cathedral of St. Nazarius, built in the 13th century. This Gothic fortress dominating the city is uniquely original. You could be forgiven for thinking you were visiting a castle! And yet the machicolations above the rose window, and the arrowslits beside the towers and turrets are only a decoy: this display was a way for the Catholic faith to assert its dominance over the Cathar heresy. Other original features await visitors inside. The carved wooden doors set in recesses in the stone are also a kind of optical illusion. They are actually never opened because of the wind, which could sweep away anything in its path.
To admire a breathtaking view of the whole of Béziers, head to the Bishop's Palace Garden (Jardin de l'Évêché) downhill from the cathedral. There you can enjoy a unique view over the Orb Plain and the city's bridges, which seem to spring from the ground. Take a stroll in the city centre along its cobbled, narrow streets. You will probably come across other treasures hidden between the old buildings, like the statue of Pépézuc, a mythical Béziers figure said to have saved the city from invaders during the Hundred Years War. Another curiosity: Béziers' old Roman arena. Unlike its counterpart in Nîmes, it is inhabited by locals. Above the ruins stand colourful residential buildings, a wonderful blend of past and present. However, visits must be arranged in advance as you cannot go in and out freely.
To get away from the urban hustle and bustle, take a trip to Béziers' old cemetery, which has echoes of Père-Lachaise in Paris. You can walk among the sculptures, cypress trees and graves, some of which are seemingly vying to be the most eccentric: unusual typography, elegant statues and other wonders adorn the stone.
Lastly, a trip to Béziers would not be complete without a visit to the legendary Allées Paul-Riquet, a pleasant avenue lined with plane trees, shops and lively café terraces.
Béziers, a real history book...
6500 BC: During the digging of the northern ring road of the city, remains have been discovered, the study of which proves that the history and the settlement of Béziers, at the foot of the hill Saint Nazaire, Began 6500 years ago.
The Roman occupation: The city was founded by the Greeks in the 6th century BC Then comes the Roman empire: Béziers, stronghold, is connected to Narbonne by the Domitian Way. Around the city of "Biterre", grows the cultivation of the vine and the olive tree, the forests of oaks are cleared. This "Gallo-Roman" floret was then invaded by the Visigoths, who ransomed the country and settled there.
Oh, but it's Charles Martel! If Charles Martel repulsed the Saracens in Poitiers in 732, he also conquered and occupied Béziers, in 737 (destroying in passing the Roman amphitheater), while he was completing "to escort" the Arab army towards the other Side of the Pyrenees...
The Crusade against the Cathars: "Kill all, God will recognize his own". These few words of a legate of the Pope of Rome give free rein to the "grande boucherie", of 22 July 1209. A "gran mazel" as they say in Occitan. The Albigensian crusade, against the "Cathar heresy", is thus translated by the bag, the burning of Béziers and the massacre of its population. The army of the king of France and of Rome will then forty years to complete this war of pillage, of burning piles.
Troubadours and commune: Béziers is one of the first cities of the south to obtain its communal charter: it is administered by consuls, who exercise their power on the site of the old Roman forum, city Hall. Béziers also very quickly espouses the culture of the troubadours. Here they are named Matfre Ermengaud, Azalaïs de Portiragnes... This sweetness of life, this cultural development, do not resist the invasions, famines, epidemics of the fourteenth century.
The Canal du Midi: to Pierre-Paul Riquet, France grateful. Pierre-Paul Riquet was born in Béziers in 1609. He designed and imagined the Canal du Midi, then obtained permission from Louis XIV to build it. Car Riquet found the solution - which the Romans were already looking for - to supply this canal permanently with water. By linking the Garonne (thus the Atlantic), to the Mediterranean, it ensures, develops and secures trade between the two seas. It follows a period of great prosperity of Béziers.
Fortunes viticoles and southern splendors: The most splendid period of the Biterroise history is in the XIXe century. The rise of industry, car and commerce opened the national and world wine market to the local vineyard. This provides work for thousands of people, resulting in unprecedented population growth. Thanks to the wine, colossal fortunes are created, the "châteaux pinardiers" flourish in the vineyards of Béziers. The Compagnie des Chemins de Fer du Midi developed, the Alleys Paul Riquet, the Plateau des Poètes, the theater, the arenas (where Camille Saint-Saëns and Gabriel Fauré gave sumptuous performances). This opulence ends at the very beginning of the twentieth century. To the point that in 1907 the vine growers revolt, Clemenceau represses them to say the least severely.
Jean Moulin, the honor of France: The defeat of 1940 and the German occupation are a wound to the shameful pride of the Biterrois. It is from a house in the Champs de Mars, where it is born, that the great air of revolt rises. Jean Moulin, prefect by vocation, biterrois by birth, democrat and free by conviction, became the hero of the French Resistance. He coordinates it at the height of the Occupation. Before being betrayed, arrested, martyred. And to die in the train that takes him in deportation...
Béziers today... It is a city of almost 73 000 inhabitants, the heart of a community of agglomeration which counts 107 000. Installed in the middle of a region eminently tourist, where it finds its own place, Béziers traces its own path to the future: university development, diversification of the economic fabric, multiplication of access infrastructures (A9, A75, TGV to Spain...).
Feria de Béziers the weekend of August 15.
Exposition "Ferme-la !" - Hôtel la Prison
- From 18 april to 9 june 2024
- Place des Albigeois
- Hôtel la Prison and Dupré & Dupré Gallery invite you to discover the works of artist Fabien BOITARD ! - The vernissage will take place on April 18 from 6.30pm. It will be possible to dine on site after the opening. For dinner reservations, please send an e-mail before April 10.
Exposition Jean Moulin
- From 31 may to 30 june 2024
- 9 Avenue Maréchal Foch
- Discover the works of Jean Moulin, the famous French Resistance fighter, at this exhibition ! Learn more about the life of this hero of the Resistance while discovering one of his passions : art.
Festival les Nuits de Bayssan - são Paulo Dance Company
- On 4 june 2024
- Route des Vendres
- With a repertoire combining classical masterpieces and contemporary creations, the São Paulo Dance Company, directed by Inês Bogéa, is one of Brazil ? S leading dance companies. As part of its international tour, it combines the energy and beauty of its dance with the worlds of four choreographers : - Cassi Abranches with Agora (2019) opens the stage with a wildly energetic Brazilian piece. Jomar Mesquita ? S Ngali (2016) in collaboration with Rodrigo de Castro, then shows the dancers grappling with the sophistication of Gafieira ? S Samba, combining virtuosity and theatricality of feeling. - Marco Goecke ? S L ? oiseau de feu - Pas de deux (2010) speaks to us of transition, departure and hope with captivating emotional power. - Leilane Teles and her Umbó (2021) explore the impact of the will to become who you want to be on the body, creating an infinite loop of inspiration and aspiration.
Féria des Entrepreneurs - Palais des Congrès
- On 4 june 2024
- 29 Avenue Camille Saint-Saëns
- The town is organizing a special fair for entrepreneurs, where you can meet over 40 exhibitors and develop your network of contacts.
Conte Musical - l'Enfant et les Sortilèges
- From 5 to 6 june 2024
- 13 Bis Bd Du Guesclin
- Under the direction of Mathieu Bonnin, the Ensemble Instrumental et Maîtrise du Conservatoire Béziers Méditerranée presents the famous tale of RaveL - Seized with an enormous anger, a capricious child finds himself surrounded by objects that wake up and get angry, as if bewitched. The cup, the armchair, the clock and even the cat and the fire in the fireplace ! Based on a libretto by Colette, this tale presents a childhood moment of poetry, humor, anger and cruelty, sublimated by the music of Maurice Ravel. - Reservations required at one of our tourist information offices.
Les rdv des Pitchouns - Cosmopolithèque
- On 5 june 2024
- 1 Place Garibaldi
- Pauline, the little ladybug" animation, with Manuelle
Visite Guidee Besièrs en oc : Petites Histoires de Béziers
- On 5 june 2024
- Allées Paul Riquet
- Enjoy a bilingual French/Occitan tour of Biterrois' heritage. - Venetz escotar las polidas istòrias de nostra ciutat, al entorn de las frescas e dels monuments màgers de Besièrs - Come and listen to the beautiful legends of Béziers, around the city's frescoes and main monuments - Reservations essential.
Atelier "Dans la Peau d'un Archiviste" - Archives Municipales
- On 5 june 2024
- Place des Casernes
- For International Archives Week, put yourself in the shoes of an archivist for an afternoon… Several short workshops will be offered to help you discover this profession : filing, condition reports, research…
Besièrs en oc - Histoire et Istorietas
- On 5 june 2024
- Allées Paul Riquet
- Riquet's treasure, Mistral's cicada, Maistre Jourdan's gunboat… and, of course, lo Camel de Saint Aphrodise ! Local history, anecdotes, tales, legends and other regional trivia… that make up the history of Béziers and the Languedoc region !
Dégustations Thématiques - Caves Notre-Dame
- On 6 june 2024
- 61 Chemin de Badones
- Taste wines on the "Terroir des Terrasses du Larzac" theme ! - Places are limited (20 maximum).
