Saint-Nazaire cathedral
The Gothic cathedral dominates the city from its hilltop. Its esplanade offers a remarkable panorama over the Hérault plain, the Canal du Midi and, on a clear day, the Pyrenees. The Gothic interior is sober and majestic.
Béziers is one of the oldest cities in France, proudly overlooking the Hérault plain from its hilltop. Saint-Nazaire cathedral, the arena, the Fonseranes locks and the Allées Paul-Riquet: Béziers makes for a full day of culture and city life, about an hour from La Bergerie du Mas Delon.
Founded by the Greeks more than two thousand years ago, Béziers is one of the oldest cities in France. Overlooking the Hérault plain from its hilltop, it offers an exceptional panorama over the Languedoc countryside and the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The city is known for its Gothic cathedral of Saint-Nazaire, its arena — one of the most important bullrings in France — and the Fonseranes locks, a 17th-century engineering jewel that lets the Canal du Midi climb a hill through nine successive chambers.
📷 Krzysztof Golik — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
A day in Béziers takes in the city's historic heritage, the Canal du Midi and the bustle of the Allées Paul-Riquet.
The Gothic cathedral dominates the city from its hilltop. Its esplanade offers a remarkable panorama over the Hérault plain, the Canal du Midi and, on a clear day, the Pyrenees. The Gothic interior is sober and majestic.
Nine successive locks allow the Canal du Midi to climb a height difference of 21 metres. This 17th-century engineering masterpiece, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the most impressive hydraulic works in France.
The Béziers arena, built in 1897, can hold 13,000 spectators. It is the symbol of the local bullfighting culture, which is particularly alive during the August feria. Tours are possible out of season.
Béziers' central boulevard, lined with plane trees, is the city's living artery. Restaurants, cafés, shops and terraces bring this promenade to life — especially pleasant on summer evenings.
The Béziers feria, in August, is one of the biggest festivals in France: bullfights, concerts, bodegas and festivities take over the city for several days. A unique cultural experience — though one to avoid if you're after peace and quiet.
From Béziers, river cruises let you explore the Canal du Midi by boat. An original way to discover this UNESCO heritage site beneath the century-old plane trees.
The highlights: Saint-Nazaire cathedral and its panoramic esplanade, the Fonseranes locks (Canal du Midi, UNESCO), the arena, the Allées Paul-Riquet and the Biterrois museum.
Béziers is about 55 km from La Bergerie du Mas Delon, roughly a 50 to 60-minute drive.
The Béziers feria takes place every year in August (usually the second week). It is one of the biggest ferias in France, with bullfights, concerts and festivities over several days.