Béziers, a journey to the heart of the oldest city in the Occitanie region
"Aquí, aquí, es Besièrs!" one might hear echoing through the cobbled streets of this city with a strong character. The oldest town in Occitanie, proud of its 2,700 years of history, Béziers stands proudly between the Mediterranean and the vineyards of Languedoc-Roussillon. Here, every stone, every shady square whispers the legends of a city marked by the grandeur and tumult of time.
The origins of Béziers: an ancient city
Béziers is a city rich in living history, standing as a timeless sentinel with roots stretching back to the 7th century BCE.Founded by the Greeks as Baeterrae, the city grew into a thriving trading hub strategically positioned between the sea and the Orb River in the Hérault region.
Its inhabitants, already skilled farmers and traders, built the first city infrastructure – including grain silos and a network of pipes – demonstrating an advanced level of organisation.
The Roman era: grandeur and prosperity
With the arrival of the Romans in the 1st century BC, Béziers became Julia Baeterrae, a flourishing colony where the Roman way of life prevailed. The Via Domitia, the first major Roman road in Gaul, crossed the city, facilitating trade.
The arenas, still visible today, were the theatre of grandiose spectacles, where gladiators and wild animals thrilled the people. The baths, temples, churches, historical monuments and paved streets illustrate this sumptuous era, a time when Béziers was already distinguished as a city of influence.
The Middle Ages: between faith and battles
The Middle Ages brought their share of drama and resilience. In 1209, the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathars hit the city hard. On 22 July, Béziers was sacked by the troops of Simon de Montfort. The terrible sentence of the abbot of Citeaux, Arnaud Amalric, still resonates: "Kill them all, God will recognise his own."
Despite this ordeal, the city rose again. Viticulture, anchored in the DNA of Béziers, became an economic engine. The Saint-Nazaire cathedral, rebuilt after the massacre, dominates the city, a silent witness to past centuries.
The Renaissance and the golden age of the 17th century
The rise of trade and the arts marked the Renaissance. Sumptuous private mansions flourished in the heart of the city, reflecting the city's newfound prosperity. But it was in the 17th century that Béziers experienced its heyday thanks to one man: Pierre-Paul Riquet.A native of the city, this visionary engineer designed the Canal du Midi, revolutionising trade and the Languedoc landscape. Our canal, as the people of Béziers proudly call it, became a real link between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
Béziers today: traditions and modernity
With its 80,894 inhabitants, Béziers remains faithful to its Occitan identity, while embracing the present. Its heritage has been beautifully restored, its historic neighbourhoods revitalised, and its cultural events resonate well beyond the Hérault region.Traditions and festivities: the soul of Béziers
The people of Béziers, d'aqui (from here), proudly uphold their heritage. The Féria de Béziers, every summer, is the perfect embodiment of this. For several days, the bands, bodegas and arenas vibrate to the rhythm of popular festivals. Olé Béziers!
Rugby is also a religion: ASBH, the third most successful club in France, embodies this culture of combat and team spirit. "Aquí, aquí, es Besièrs!" resounds at every match, proving that the passion for rugby is a real institution.
The Canal du Midi: a Béziers jewel
It is impossible to leave Béziers without a walk along the Canal du Midi. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the peaceful soul of the city. Its Fonséranes locks, a veritable water staircase, are a masterpiece of engineering, offering a captivating sight every time a boat passes through.
Discover Béziers from the Les Berges du Canal campsite ****
To explore Béziers and soak up its unique atmosphere, the Les Berges du Canal campsite, located in Villeneuve-lès-Béziers, is an ideal stopover.Bordered by the Canal du Midi and close to the sea, it offers a peaceful, green setting – perfect for soaking up a city with a blazing past and a vibrant present.Book your camping holiday in Béziers and set off to discover the authentic Occitanie!