Béziers – Culture and the Canal du Midi

Béziers brings together historic buildings, theatres, green spaces and the Canal du Midi. You can plan your stay around whether architectural history, a theatre programme or experiences on the water matter most to you. These places differ in specific ways: from construction dates and dimensions to how historic sites are presented and the activities available along the canal.

Construction history in bridges and monuments

The Vieux pont sur l’Orb has been classified as a historic monument since 18 June 1963. Its construction or reconstruction is dated to before 1134. The bridge is 241.46 metres long and has fifteen arches. The Pont-Canal over the Orb is 240 metres long and 28 metres wide. Their lengths are therefore similar; however, the figures describe two different structures and give different details about each one.

The Cathédrale Saint Nazaire et Saint Celse can also be understood through its construction history: it stands on the remains of a Roman temple and a Romanesque cathedral and is listed as a historic monument. Individual visits are free at any time; guided tours are available on request. This means you can choose between an individual visit and a guided tour on request.

The Roman amphitheatre of Béziers was built in the 1st century AD. Surviving elements and the ancient layout have been restored and marked in the streetscape. An interactive augmented reality presentation brings the amphitheatre to life. The historic traces and digital presentation thus offer two different ways to explore this structure.

Theatre, programme and an August event

The Théâtre Municipal de Béziers opened in 1844. It is an Italian-style bonbonnière theatre and has fully preserved its original aesthetic. Its annual programme includes theatre, dance, new circus, opera, music and performances for young audiences. If you would like to include a theatre visit in your stay, the venue offers a programme spanning several performing arts and audiences.

Another annual event is the Féria de Béziers, held every August. The exact dates and programme vary from year to year. If you are planning a visit around the Féria, the dates and programme for the relevant year are therefore key.

Gardens and experiences on the water

The Canal du Midi near Béziers is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers visitors a combination of history, nature and activities on the water. At the 9 écluses de Fonseranes, you can explore the locks on foot or by bicycle via a botanical trail featuring Mediterranean plant species. Cruises are also available on the Canal du Midi; alternatively, visitors can drive an electric boat themselves. This gives you the choice of exploring on foot or on the water.

At the 9 écluses de Fonseranes, families can take part in the treasure hunt “Alice et la fontaine magique”. An immersive film lasting 14 minutes is shown at the Maison de Site. Both activities offer a specific reason to combine a visit to the locks with an activity on site.

For a green getaway, the five-hectare Plateau des Poètes offers a different focus. The garden is in the city centre and includes an open-air theatre, caves, busts of Occitan poets and exotic plant species. The park has been classified as a historic monument since 1995. The terraced Jardin des Évêques, in turn, offers views across the Orb plain and the Mediterranean. The two gardens therefore differ both in their features and in the views described.

Discover more destinations: Roquebrun, Saint-Thibéry, Vendémian, Prades-Le-Lez, Valflaunès, Saint-Jean-De-Fos, Saint-Geniès-De-Fontedit, Minerve.

For the regional travel overview: Hérault.