Heritage preserved…
Plateau des Poètes
The Plateau of Poets garden takes it name from a 13th century troubadour monk from Béziers, Maffre Ermengaud, who wrote 34,000 lines of verse in late vulgar Latin… But it was in the middle of the 19th century that the decision was taken to create the Plateau des Poètes.
The aim was to create a link between the railway station, which was completed in 1857, and the municipal theatre at the end of the Allées Paul Riquet. The project was headed by Eugène Bühler, the creator of the Parc de la Tête d’Or in Lyon.
In 1867, Béziers inaugurated its brand new Plateau des Poètes with great pomp and ceremony. It was a so-called English-style garden, where Bühler created a space in which straight lines were banned, punctuated with clever plant compositions and beds arranged in a way that was designed to reveal or conceal more open spaces… and even a "green theatre."
Trees, shrubs, flowers and plants from every continent were spread across the plateau's 50,000 m2. Pieces by the Béziers sculptor Injalbert were installed over the following decades: the fountain of Titan, busts of poets, a child with a fish, the war memorial and more.
Guided tours and information
:
Tourist Office
Tel.: +33(0)4 67 76 84 00
Gardens open every day throughout the year
Jardin de la Plantade
Located on the edge of the Orb, at the foot of the Saint-Nazaire hill, the Jardin de la Plantade grew up on a plantation belonging to the Cordier family (the creator of the Mill and the system that carried water from the Orb to the upper town). It was redeveloped as a public park in 1938 and offers a very pleasant walk along the banks of the Orb.
Avenue Valentin Duc
Jardin des Evêques
Nestled and
almost hidden down below the cloisters and cathedral of St Nazaire, the garden was once a "haven" for the bishops. Their apartments, now handed over to the law courts, used to lead down to the French-style parterre, a "tapestry of plants" as people say, via a pretty stone staircase with a beautiful wrought-iron handrail. The terraced garden slopes down via an esplanade planted with mature trees, with a parapet that offers superb views over the Orb plain, the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean.
Plan des Albigeois
Villa Antonine
The summer residence of the Béziers sculptor Antonin Injalbert is surrounded by a gorgeous, lush garden, with outlines of the master's sculptures hidden amongst the trees, shrubs and flower beds; a gentle, refreshing stroll for anyone who enjoys a pleasant walk.
Place Injalbert
Cimetière Vieux
Created in 1812, on the northern edge of the Saint-Nazaire hill, the old cemetery forms a rampart, with its surrounding wall and extensive grounds (48,593 m2). It was extended in 1863. Like any Mediterranean cemetery with a degree of self-respect, it is planted with Cyprus trees that are as old as it is. It also serves as a kind of open-air museum, with its tombs and mausoleums decorated with some superb statues by Jean-Antoine Injalbert, Jean Magrou, Jacques Villeneuve and Louis Paul. Visitors can amble quietly through arbours and alcoves, with an astonishing array of statuary. Whilst you are there, remember to say a quick hello – at least – to Notre Dame du Moucadou, who is very dear to the hearts of the people of Béziers: their "lucky charm", provided you leave her a handkerchief as an offering…
Avenue du Cimetière Vieux