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.
Lamouche-art Exhibition Gaze
- From 15 april to 1 july 2022
- Domaine de Pradines le Bas
- The Galerie La Mouche hosts the exhibition "Regard" by Olivier Diaz de Zarate, come and admire these magnificent paintings on mirrors!
Exhibition of Laura Labri Laborie and Genevieve Seille - oss&Tures
- From 15 april to 15 june 2022
- 31 Rue du 4 Septembre
- Espace Lally is pleased to welcome two artists for the exhibition "Oss&Tures", Laura Labri Laborie and Geneviève Seillé. - The opening of the exhibition will take place on Thursday, April 14 at 18h. - Free entrance.
Exhibition - Carte Blanche to Philippe Brel
- From 16 april to 28 may 2022
- 2 Rue Relin
- Maison Relin receives Philippe Brel for his creation "Carte Blanche". - The artist, who defines himself as a mainstream abstract expressionist painter, offers us to start from a "untitled" painting loaded with signifiers for him. It is a self-portrait with a scooter whose rider - in connection with Rembrandt's Polish Rider - looks at his past and moves towards his future. Over the cities, he proposes the discovery of a series entitled: the islands of greenery. - The opening of the exhibition will take place on April 16 from 15h to 21h. - Free entrance.
Atelier Creation Vegetale
- From 4 to 28 may 2022
- 12 Rue du Chapeau Rouge
- In the company of James, landscaper, put on your apron and make your own plant creation using plants, mosses, earth or other, made available, and leave with your composition. - For a fee - Booking by phone
Macrame Workshop
- From 4 to 28 may 2022
- 12 Rue du Chapeau Rouge
- Our stylist Alexandra will make you discover the art of knots to make a decoration or a macrame suspension. They can also be used as a support for your Kokedama. - For a fee - Booking by phone
Jover Exhibition
- From 6 may to 16 june 2022
- 38 Rue Française
- The artist Jover exhibits his street art works at Switch-On! - Free admission during the opening hours of the store.
Photo Exhibition - Gérard Sendra
- From 14 may to 11 june 2022
- 12 Rue Montmorency
- The Galerie du Chameau Malin hosts an exhibition of photographs by Gérard Sendra "Regards croisés - Croisées et regards", on the theme of windows and openings of ancient habitats marked by time.
Feast of the Caritats 2022
- From 26 to 28 may 2022
- The Feast of the Caritats returns to Béziers! - They take place from 26 to 28 May. On the program, numerous exhibitions, games for the whole family, workshops, a medieval camp, knight fights... We don't tell you more, it's up to you to discover!
Dedication Meeting of Elisabeth Correvon - Guerisseurs de l'invisible
- On 27 may 2022
- 13 Rue de la Citadelle
- The Belle'in and Ted boutique welcomes Elisabeth Correvon for the dedication of her book "Healers of the invisible" published by Trédaniel/Exergue editions. The author invites you into the universe of the worlds of the invisible, where death does not exist. - Free entrance.
Program of Friday, May 27 - Feast of the Caritats 2022
- On 27 may 2022
- Feast of the Caritats 2022 - Program for Friday, May 27 : - - 10:00 to 18:00 - Place de la Madeleine: Medieval camp: Cooking workshop, Artisan bread making workshop, Leather workshop, Bracelets workshop, Weapons rack workshop, Chain mail exhibition, Medicine exhibition - - 11:30,15:15, Alastyn Events: Medieval combat that highlights the basics acquired by the students of the association with a scenario full of twists and turns. - - 11:30,15:15, Warlegends: Presentation of a medieval show full of humor, action and realistic combat based on public participation. - - 12:30, 16:00, The last Amazons: The company highlights, through its creations, the energies of the warrior woman. Through their tribal and original music played live, their choreographies of manipulation of weapons, fire instruments and dance they take the viewer into their universe. - - 13:30,16:30, The Warlords: Presentation of fights in full armor, usually called combat Behourd, this is the medieval free fight with audience interaction. - - 14:30,17:15, Adorea: Adorea is a team of professionals from the Czech Republic specializing in stage combat. Artistic fencing world champions in 2019, they highlight the ancestral techniques of this high-speed discipline. - Children's program : - - 10:00 to 18:00, Inflatable medieval castle, Medieval drawings workshop, The Bibliambule of the André Malraux Media Library, Judéria, History of the Jews of Béziers in the Middle Ages, Coats of arms workshop, Children's tales, Doll making workshop, Donut making, Exhibition of the replica of the Hebrew stone of Béziers - - 10:00 to 18:00 - Town Hall Square: The Enchanted Mini Farm and Wooden Games - Place Jean Jaurès: Medieval show of the Musical Fountain
