Béziers facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Béziers Besièrs  (Occitan)
Subprefecture and commune
Aerial view of Béziers
Flag Coat of arms
Béziers Location in France Show map of France Béziers Location in Occitanie Show map of Occitanie
Country	France
Region	Occitanie
Department	Hérault
Arrondissement	Béziers
Canton	Béziers-1, 2 and 3
Intercommunality	CA Béziers Méditerranée
Area 1	95.48 km2 (36.87 sq mi)
Population  (2021)	80,341
• Density	841.44/km2 (2,179.33/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Biterrois
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	34032 /34500
Elevation	4–120 m (13–394 ft) (avg. 17 m or 56 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Béziers (French: [bezje]; Occitan: Besièrs) is a city in southern France. It is a special administrative center in the Hérault department. This department is part of the Occitanie region.

Every August, Béziers hosts the famous Feria de Béziers. This big event focuses on bullfighting. About a million visitors come to enjoy the five-day festival.

The city is built on a small hill above the Orb river. It is about ten kilometres (six miles) from the Mediterranean Sea coast. It is also about 75 kilometres (47 miles) southwest of Montpellier. The Canal du Midi crosses the Orb river in Béziers. It does this using the Pont-canal de l'Orb. This aqueduct is said to be the first of its kind.

Béziers Through Time

Béziers is one of France's oldest cities. In 2013, research showed that an ancient Greek settlement existed here around 575 BCE. This makes Béziers older than Agde (founded 525 BCE). It is only a little younger than Marseille (founded 600 BCE).

People have lived in this area since the Neolithic Age. This was even before the Celts arrived. The Romans called the city Betarra. It was on the road connecting Provence to Spain. The Romans rebuilt the city for soldiers in 36–35 BCE. They named it Colonia Julia Baeterrae Septimanorum. Stones from the Roman amphitheatre were used to build the city wall in the 3rd century.

Béziers used to send wine to Rome. A large clay pot found near Rome said: "I am a wine from Baeterrae and I am five years old." Another simply said: "white wine of Baeterrae." Muslims conquered Béziers and it was part of Islamic Iberia from 720 to 752.

From the 10th to the 12th centuries, Béziers was the center of a Viscounty. The viscounts ruled much of the coastal plain around Béziers. This included the town of Agde. They also controlled the main east-west route through Languedoc. This route followed the old Roman Via Domitia. It had two key bridges over the Orb and Hérault rivers.

The Trencavel family ruled Béziers for 142 years. This lasted until the Albigensian Crusade. This was a crusade (holy war) approved by Pope Innocent III.

The Béziers Event of 1209

Béziers was a strong center for Catharism. The Catholic Church saw Catharism as a false belief. They tried to end it during the Albigensian Crusade.

The crusaders arrived at Béziers on July 21, 1209. Catholics in Béziers were told to hand over the Cathars or leave. They were warned to "avoid sharing their fate." But many Catholics refused and stayed with the Cathars. The city was attacked the next day. During the terrible event, no one was spared. Even Catholic priests and those hiding in churches were harmed.

One of the crusade leaders was Arnaud-Amaury. He was an abbot. A story says that when asked how to tell Catholics from Cathars, he replied: "Kill them all, for the Lord knoweth them that are His." This quote comes from Caesarius of Heisterbach.

Amalric wrote to Pope Innocent III in August 1209. He said that people of "low rank" attacked the city without waiting for orders. He wrote: "within the space of two or three hours they crossed the ditches and the walls and Béziers was taken. Our men spared no one... and put to the sword almost 20,000 people. After this great slaughter the whole city was despoiled and burnt..."

The attackers burned the Cathedral of Saint Nazaire. It fell on those who had sought safety inside. The city was robbed and burned. Some say no one was left alive. Others say a few people survived. A plaque near the cathedral remembers this "Day of Butchery."

Later Years

Despite the terrible event, people returned to the city. Parts of the Romanesque cathedral of St-Nazaire survived. Repairs began in 1215. The city's restoration continued until the 15th century.

Béziers became part of the king's land in 1247.

A group of troubadour poets lived in Béziers from the 1260s to 1280s. They wrote in the Occitan language. These poets supported the French king Louis IX. They also supported the French nobles against the local Occitan nobles.

The city was ruled by three groups for a long time. These were the Bishop, the local magistrates (consuls), and the king's representatives.

Béziers was not damaged during the Hundred Years' War.

On September 8, 1381, a riot broke out. Rioters set the Town House on fire. The city councilors tried to hide in the tower. But the fire spread, and they all died.

Modern Times

King Charles IX visited Béziers during his royal tour (1564–1566). He traveled with his court and important people.

In 1551, Béziers became the center of a seneschal. This meant it had its own legal authority.

The city was a base during wars against the Habsburgs. It was only directly threatened once. This was during the War of the Spanish Succession in 1710. British forces landed nearby and came close to Béziers. But they were pushed back.

Béziers was central to the Montmorency Revolt in 1632. King Charles IX abolished the province's special rights in Béziers. These rights were given back in 1649.

During the 18th century, Béziers grew wealthy. This was mainly because of grapevines. It became an important center for trading alcohol.

The French Revolution

During the French Revolution, people in Béziers formed a revolutionary group. It started in May 1790 with up to 400 members. It changed names several times. It was called "The Literary and Patriotic Cabinet," then "Society of the Friends of the Constitution and Liberty." Later, it joined the Jacobin Club of Paris. It was then called the "Society of the Jacobins." After the French monarchy ended, it became the "Society of Brothers and Friends of the Republic." Finally, it was the "Regenerated Society of the Jacobins, Friends of the Republic."

From 1790 to 1800, Béziers was the main town of its district. The city did not join the "Federalist" movement.

Events of 1851

After Louis Napoléon took power in 1851, there was a crackdown. Troops fired on and killed Republican protesters in Béziers. Others were sentenced to death or sent to Guiana. This included Casimir Péret, the mayor at the time. He died trying to escape. A plaque and a monument in the Place de la Révolution remember these events.

Winegrowers' Revolt of 1907

In the Languedoc region, more land was used for growing grapes. The areas of Aude, Gard, Hérault, and Pyrénées-Orientales together made about 40% of France's wine. Béziers called itself "The World Capital of Wine." Many people became very rich. Large landowners bought huge vineyards.

There was also more wine coming from other countries. Some wines were smuggled. Also, some wines were made from imported dried grapes or mixed with water. Winegrowers were very concerned about this unfair competition.

On May 12, 1907, about 150,000 protesters gathered in Béziers. They wanted to "Defend the Southern Viticulture." The crowd filled the Paul-Riquet area. Banners had slogans like: "Victory or death!" and "Death to fraudsters!"

Demonstrators came from over 200 towns. Many workers and shopkeepers from Béziers joined them. The event ended with speeches. Speakers included Marcelin Albert, who demanded the government raise wine prices. The mayor of Béziers, Émile Suchon, also supported the winegrowers. There were small incidents as people left.

On May 16, the Béziers city council resigned. Protests continued. The police station and town hall were set on fire. Georges Clemenceau decided to act. The 17th regiment of infantry soldiers was moved from Béziers to Agde on June 18, 1907.

On the evening of June 20, about 500 soldiers of the 17th regiment refused orders. They took weapons and marched to Béziers. They walked about twenty kilometres (twelve miles) overnight. On June 21, they arrived in the city. People in Béziers welcomed them warmly. The soldiers sat down, and the people offered them wine and food.

The South of France was close to a rebellion. In Paulhan, protesters stopped a military train. In Lodève, the sub-prefect was taken hostage. The military leaders worried that other regiments might follow the 17th regiment's example.

In Paris, Clemenceau faced a vote of no confidence. But he survived. The military negotiated with the soldiers. In the afternoon, the soldiers agreed to put down their weapons. They were promised no punishment. They marched to the station and returned to their barracks. Clemenceau announced the end of the mutiny.

On June 23, a law was passed. It stopped the practice of adding sugar to wine to increase its alcohol content.

The soldiers of the 17th regiment were sent to Gafsa in Tunisia. This was a place for disciplinary companies. But these soldiers kept their normal military status. So, there was no legal punishment for their revolt. However, during World War I, many were sent to the front lines. This was because of their reputation.

The mutiny of the 17th soldiers is remembered in history. It is part of the song "Gloire au 17."

Béziers' Weather

Béziers has a Mediterranean climate. This means it has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The average yearly temperature is about 15.1 °C (59.2 °F). The average yearly rainfall is 595.7 mm (23.45 in). October is usually the wettest month.

Temperatures are highest in July, around 24.1 °C (75.4 °F). They are lowest in January, around 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). The hottest temperature ever recorded was 42.0 °C (107.6 °F) on July 7, 1982. The coldest was −16.0 °C (3.2 °F) on January 16, 1985.

Population of Béziers

The people who live in Béziers are called Biterrois. This name comes from Baeterrae, the old Roman name for the town.

Places to Visit

Entrance of The Plateau des Poètes

• Saint-Nazaire Cathedral: This beautiful cathedral sits high up in the town. You can see it from far away. It is a great example of 14th-century Gothic architecture. The main part of the church is 14 m (45.93 ft) wide and 32 m (104.99 ft) high. The whole building is 50 m (164.04 ft) long. A large round window on the west side is 10 m (32.81 ft) across.

• The Plateau des Poètes (1867): This is a huge park designed in the English style. It has many statues of famous poets. There is also a big fountain called the Titan. The park connects the train station to the allées Paul Riquet.

• The allées Paul Riquet: This is a main square in Béziers. It has a large bronze statue of Pierre-Paul Riquet. He created the Canal du Midi. The same artist also made the decorations on the Municipal Theatre. During the Feria festival, many events happen here.

• Arenas: Béziers has two arenas. One is from the Roman times. Its old structures are still there. The other was built in 1905. It looks like Spanish bullrings. It is one of the biggest in France, holding 13,100 people. This arena hosts concerts and the yearly bullfighting festival in August.

• The Fine Arts Museum: This museum started in 1859. It has artworks by famous painters. These include Hans Holbein, Vincent van Gogh, and Chaïm Soutine. It also has drawings and art from Jean Moulin, a hero of the French Resistance.

• The musée Saint-Jacques: This museum is in an old army building. It shows what life was like in the Béziers region.

• Le Pont Vieux: This is an old stone bridge from the Middle Ages. It crosses the Orb river.

• Le Cimetière Vieux (Old Cemetery): This cemetery was created in the 18th century. It is like an outdoor museum. It has many tombs and artworks by local sculptors.

• Canal du Midi installations: These are parts of the Canal du Midi built in the 17th century. They include the Pont-canal de l'Orb (a bridge for the canal). There are also the Fonserannes staircase locks. These are a series of locks that help boats go up or down a hill.

• Other interesting places:
  • The Cordier or Bagnols mill
  • Saint-Jacques Church
  • The Saint-Aphrodise Church
  • Church of the Madeleine
  • Saint Jude Church
  • Church of the Immaculate Conception
  • The Capnau quarter
  • Island of Tabarka, on the Orb river
  • The Municipal Theatre (19th century)
  • The Art Nouveau former Théâtre des Variétés
  • The market hall (late 19th century)
  • The Saint-Jean-d'Aureilhan estate
  • The Domaine de Bayssan
  • Chapelle du Jardin Notre-Dame (18th century)
  • Chapelle des Pénitents Bleus (18th century)

Nearby, you can also visit the Oppidum d'Ensérune. This is an archaeological site with ancient ruins. From there, you can see the Étang de Montady. This was a marsh that was drained in 1247. It was turned into a field with a special irrigation system.

Béziers' Economy

Béziers is a main center for viticulture in Languedoc. This means it is very important for growing grapes and making wine.

Getting Around Béziers

• Road: The A9 autoroute is a major highway that goes between Italy and Spain. It passes by Béziers. The A75 autoroute connects Béziers to Clermont-Ferrand and Paris.

• Rail: The Gare de Béziers is the train station. You can take trains from here to many cities. These include Toulouse, Montpellier, Bordeaux, Marseille, Paris, and Barcelona. TGV (high-speed) trains stop in Béziers.

• Air: Béziers Cap d'Agde Airport is the local airport. It has flights to places in northern Europe. After its runway was made longer in 2007, Ryanair started flights there. You can fly to Bristol, London, Paris, Oslo, Manchester, Edinburgh, Weeze, and Stockholm.

• Canal: The Canal du Midi is mostly used by tourist boats today. But it is still used to carry Languedoc wine to Bordeaux.

Sports in Béziers

Béziers has a rugby union team called AS Béziers Hérault. The football (soccer) team is AS Béziers (2007). They play in a league called Championnat National 2. The women's volleyball team, the Béziers Angels, won the national LNV Ligue A Féminine championship in 2018.

Famous People from Béziers

• Pierre-Paul Riquet (1609 or 1604–1680), an engineer who built the Canal du Midi.
• Jean-Jacques d'Ortous de Mairan (1678–1771), a scientist who studied the Earth.
• Jean Moulin (1899–1943), a brave hero of the French Resistance during World War II.
• Richard Gasquet (b. 1986), a famous French tennis player.
• Alexandra Rosenfeld (b. 1986), who was Miss France and Miss Europe in 2006.

Sister Cities

Béziers is twinned with these cities:

• Heilbronn, Germany (since 1965)
• Tainan, Taiwan (since 2023)
• Chiclana de la Frontera, Spain (since 1993)
• Stavropol, Russia (since 1982)
• Stockport, United Kingdom (since 1972)
• Maaloula, Syria (since 2014)
• Chortkiv, Ukraine (since 2022)
• Nir Oz, Israel (since 2024)

Images for kids

• 

  The old bridge

• 

  Map

• 

  Saint-Nazaire cathedral

• 

  Le domaine de Saint-Jean-d'Aureilhan, neo-Gothic-style tower (19th century)

• 

  Église de la Madeleine

• 

  Place Gabriel Péri

• 

  View from Béziers to the river Orb showing a weir and the Ancien Moulin de Bagnols

• 

  Fonserannes Locks on the Canal du Midi

See also

In Spanish: Béziers para niños