Between the mountains of the Massif Central and the coast of Languedoc near Montpellier lies Béziers. Picturesque vineyards surround the city and invite romantic walks. Impressive historical buildings, including venerable churches, and interesting museums guarantee varied vacation days. Famous is the late antique treasure of Béziers, precious silver serving plates with motifs.
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The landmark of Béziers can be found within the city walls, some of which date back to Roman times. A Romanesque cathedral was located at the same site. Notable is the almost 50-meter-high, square tower that carries the bell. The interior of the church resembles an art museum: six large paintings depict scenes from the lives of Moses and Constantine. At the western end of the nave, you will discover an impressive organ by Guillaume Martois.
At the ruins of the former amphitheater, you can see how magnificent Béziers was even during Roman times. The Saint-Nazaire Cathedral, which sits on a rock above the Orb River, is also impressive. In Béziers, it crosses the famous Canal du Midi. The canal bridge of Béziers stretches 143.4 meters over the Orb. With its eleven arches, it appears elegant. If you are interested in art, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Béziers is worth a visit.
The Pont Vieux, the Old Bridge, has been spanning the Orb since the 12th century. The stone arch bridge measures around 240 meters, with 15 round arches distributed along it. Crossing it offers a charming panoramic view of the Cathedral of Béziers. Upon closer inspection, you will notice that the arches vary in shape and size, making the bridge absolutely unique. When the bridge is reflected in the river under the sunshine, it creates impressive photo opportunities.
Built between 1854 and 1858 by Urbain Maguès, the aqueduct of the Canal du Midi once allowed ships to bypass the dangerous Orb River. Today, the 12-meter-high and 190-meter-long structure functions as a bridge. Since 1996, the Orb Aqueduct has been one of France's national monuments. The best way to explore the historic structure is from the water side during boat trips on the Orb River or a tour with a kayak or canoe.
Between Adge and Béziers, Ensérune is located near the Mediterranean on a hill. The hill settlement was established between the 5th and 6th centuries BC and was discovered in 1860. The Gauls expanded the simple houses with terraces and cisterns. The museum displays all the excavated finds. Visitors can marvel at items such as makeup utensils, shaving tools, combs, ceramics, and weapons. The excavation site itself offers spectacular scenic views over the plain of Languedoc, framed by the Pyrenees and Cevennes, and the Mediterranean coast.
If you've always wanted to drive a boat up a mountain, the locks of Fonseranes outside of Béziers are a must. They form a spectacular water staircase over which the Canal du Midi cascades in nine steps. As early as the 17th century, skippers could overcome a height difference of 21.5 meters in the lock chambers. As a visitor to the locks today, you can experience the passage either as a leisure captain or on a mini-cruise. The nearby Maison du Site offers exciting exhibitions and a 3D cinema.
The climate in Béziers is mild to warm. Rainfall is frequent, with less rain falling from May to October. This is also the best time for vacation days in the holiday apartment in Béziers. The summers are pleasantly warm with temperatures up to 28°C. With around 12 hours of sunshine per day, June stands out. The months of March and April also provide good hiking weather with peak temperatures of up to 18°C. However, a rain jacket is especially necessary in April. The lowest average temperature of around 10°C occurs in January. The rainiest months are October and November.