When you visit Béziers you will discover a town steeped in 65 centuries of history. With its wine-growing, Greek, Roman, heretic, langue d’Oc and Spanish origins, there are many tales to be told. Secretive and festive, rebellious and hedonistic, passionate about beauty and bullfighting, the town has been moulded by its paradoxes, passions, darkness and light.
General tours
- The Béziers of old (Béziers, le nez en l’air): the stones and streets of the town echo with the distant voices from long, long ago. From the Greeks and the Romans to the rich wine growers, without forgetting the Cathars.
(approx. 2 hours **. Meeting point: in front of the Pierre-Paul Riquet statue on the Allées Paul Riquet)
- Paul Riquet, a life’s work: the crazy story of a son of Béziers who was prepared to risk everything to realise his dream: the Canal du Midi. An exceptional piece of engineering and a UNESCO world heritage site.
(1 hour 30 minutes. Meeting point: at the bottom of the 9 locks of Fonseranes)
- Béziers by boat (Promenades biterroises au fil de l’eau), boat trip on the Canal du Midi, passing through the Fonseranes locks to Quai Port Neuf via the Canal bridge.
From April to October. For information contact the tourist office.
- Beziers : roman, cathar and gothic : The Middle Ages were the era of magnificent architectural creations, but also that of a terrible crusade against the Cathar heresy, which left in this city… burning traces.
(1 h30, meeting point in front of the city hall)
- The Béziers of the Belle Epoque: With the affluence of the wine industry and much celebration, Béziers experienced a golden economic and cultural age that spread far beyond its borders. Even today, the evidence of the Belle Epoque lives on in Béziers.
(1 hour 30 minutes. Meeting point: in front of the Pierre-Paul Riquet statue on Allées Paul Riquet)
- Olé Béziers! - discover the world of bullfighting and what goes on behind the scenes at the Béziers bullring (plaza de toros). The tour also includes a trip to the Espace Taurin, a bullfighting exhibition area giving an insight into the bullfighting culture.
(Meeting point : entrance of the arenas, avenue Claparède)
- Walks in the gardens: four unique places loaded with history and far from the noise of the town. Botanical and pastoral walks.
(approx. 2 hours **. Meeting point: in front of the Pierre-Paul Riquet statue on Allées Paul Riquet)
- A bestiary in Beziers : gargoils, chimaera and monsters, invade and inhabit the stones of the city : sometimes discreetly, sometimes not. Symbolic deciphering and fantastic walkabout
(2 hours. Meeting point at the city hall)
- Courtyard secrets: behind the jealously guarded porches of Béziers’ town houses hide architectural marvels, and heritage from medieval and classical times like the prosperity from winemaking.
(2 hours. Meeting point: the square in front of the Tourist office, 29 avenue Saint Saëns)
- Père Lachaise is good, but the Cimetière Vieux is better: A veritable open-air museum. Take a stroll through the cemetery. The amazing statues and sumptuous tombs are a reflection of the riches of Béziers’ winegrowers towards the end of the 19th century.
(2 hours. Meeting point: in front of the Old Cemetery - the Cimetière Vieux, avenue du Cimetière Vieux.)
A place – A Museum
• Injalbert + Musée Fayet
• Amphithéâtre + Musée du Biterrois
• Béziers en peinture : salle du conseil municipal (City Council+ Musée Fabrégat)
A Monument
• The Cathedral
• Jacques Church Saint
• Church de la Madeleine
It’s your game!
Discover the city your own way. Enigmas and questions will be asked, and with the help of a map, you’ll have to find your way to a monument. There, your guide will tell you its history as well as anecdotes.
Themed tours, every 1st Saturday of the month, at 3 pm
1h30 long
Meeting point at the Tourist Board
April 2009 : Le cimetière vieux
May 2009 : Les moulins
October 2009 : Hôtels particuliers du XIXè siècle
November 2009 : Les métiers d'antan
December 2009 : Le Bestiaire Biterrois
And also…
The Cre’activities
Wednesday workshops at the School of Fine Arts
1st term: « Print making » (various techniques), « a zoo in the Art School » (modelling), « the lines tell the story » (drawing, painting), « a little trip to Japan » (various techniques).
2nd term: « Hand-work... » (casting), « a little trip to Japan: Manga » (drawing), « a big kick in the art! » (3D),
3rd term: « Make them laugh, make them cry, or how to translate emotions into art? » (painting), « once upon a time there was archaeology or archaeology and contemporary art » (3D), « return to the past » (drawing, painting)
Holiday workshops at the Villa Antonine
Spring holidays (April) : « gargoylesque » (sculpture)
Practical information
Prices of guided tours:
* For groups of 12 or more:
* 5 euro full price
* 3 euro reduced rate (students, children under age 12).
* For groups of less than 12 people:
* 67 euro
* 36 euro, reduced price applicable when a second or subsequent tour is booked.
- a supplement of 1 euro will be charged for the walking tours of the town and museums (balade en ville et aux musées) organised quarterly.
Booking is essential for individuals, groups and school groups. It is possible to book several trips in one day (charges on a sliding scale).
Registration/information:
Tourist information and congress centre.
Tel: 04 67 76 84 00
Fax: 04 67 76 50 80.
E-mail: tourisme@ville-beziers.fr
Website: www.bezierstourisme.fr
Tours are available in French, English and German 7 days a week throughout
the year
Cre'activities and summer workshops for children
Partnership with the museums of Béziers
It lasts 2 hours every day for 2 days
Place : the School of Fine Arts of Béziers
Schedule and groups : 10-12 am for 7-9 years old, 14-16 pm for 10-15 years old
Price : 8,60€ per workshop, 23,50 € for a 3-months subscription, 66,50€ for a whole year subscription.
Information and booking service:
* Cre'activities : at the School of Fine Arts (04 67 28 22 98).
* Workshops at the villa Antonine : informations and booking at the Béziers Tourist Board (04 67 76 84 11)
For more information on tourist amenities in Béziers (restaurants, hotels and other types of accommodation) please contact the tourist information office.
Transport/Parking:
-Coaches: visitors can be dropped off at the tour meeting points and coaches can park in the bullring car park or the Fonseranes car park for boat trips on the Canal du Midi.
- Car parking: underground parking at Place Jean Jaurès and Place de la Madeleine.
- Bus links to the 9 locks at Fonseranes.
Take a tour… by taxi
The Languedoc Taxi Tour, an unusual way to discover our region
One fixed price, single passengers or groups (from 1 to 8 passengers per vehicle).
Contact and reservations on +33 (0) 6 33 33 04 05 or by email languedoctaxitour@free.fr
Sightseeing in comfort: let our trained, professional taxi drivers show you around, sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for the region's history and heritage.
The Languedoc Taxi Tour is a very flexible way to visit the area (with hours to suit you, and a wide choice of tours).
The tours offered:
- Discover the Cathars
- Art and culture around Pézenas
- Wellness and culture in the 'High Cantons'
- The Oppidum of Ensérune (ancient Roman fort) and the Canal du Midi
- Panoramas and chapels in the hinterland
- Landscapes and wines - Flavours and panoramas around the étang de Thau (Thau lagoon)
- Visit a vineyard…
You are guaranteed a personalised service, off the beaten track, with the opportunity to meet local producers and recognised professionals.