Allees Paul Riquet holds a lovely flower market every Friday, and is a good starting point for a walking tour of Beziers. Lined with restaurants and shaded by plane trees, this is the heart of Beziers. At one end of the avenue is a park and the other the theatre. Take one of the little side streets and explore the old town and the churches. The cathedral at the top of the town is cathedral St Nazaire, climb to the top for views of the town and surrounding area.

There are 2 museums in Beziers - Musee du Biterrois and the Musee des Beaux Arts.

The Canal du Midi runs through Beziers, and the port is area is pleasant with some cafes, and a resident barge which is a beauticians!

In the centre ville you will find lots of boutique style shops amongst the old streets, on the outskirts are modern commercial centres with hypermarkets, clothes and sports shops.

 Click here to read an article from the Independent about Beziers 

Cathar History.

During the Albigensian crusade Beziers was the first city to be sacked in July 1209. Arnaud Amaury was the commander of the crusade, and the massacre at Beziers was particularly brutal. The catholics refused to leave and fought with the cathars, but unfortunately the siege was a very short one resulting in the deaths of almost 20,000 people. No one was spared, not even the thousands of people taking refuge in the Church of the Magdalene. The city was torched until not a living thing was left. When some of his men hesitated to perform such horrific acts of brutality, it was here Arnaud Amaury is said to have cried 'Kill them all, God will recognise his own' 

There are many festivals held throughout the year in Beziers, but the main one is the feria of Beziers. The feria takes place each August and lasts 4-5 days. Up to a million people visit this event, which includes concerts, bullfights, parades, and of course eating and drinking.

 

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