Last Updated on: 23rd January 2025, 11:04 am

Béziers is a gorgeous city in the south of France, in the Occitanie region, and I was fortunate enough to spend a week house-sitting there and looking after two lovely cats. 

It is one of the oldest cities in France, and people have been living there since 575 BCE! 

To give you some context, the nearby city of Marseille, the oldest city in France, was settled only a little earlier, around 600 BC and Agde, another neighbouring town, was founded in 525 BCE. 

It’s the perfect city for a short break, easy to get to by plane and train and has far fewer tourists than other major French cities, and there are plenty of activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy. 

Here are some of what I found to be the best things you can do in Béziers:

Explore The Old Town Of Beziers

 I could spend hours just wandering the streets of Beziers, and I did. Jam-packed with charming narrow streets, medieval buildings, picturesque squares, stunning frescos, cute cafes and restaurants, it was a delight to explore. 

The Tourist Information Centre on the Place du Forum is a wealth of information. The staff are accommodating, speak excellent English, and have many maps. I so love paper maps. 

Admire The Stunning Frescoes Of Beziers 

Thought These Guys Were Real !!

Just like Lyon, Beziers has some incredible frescos around the city. Some are hard to spot because they look so life-like.These are the ‘trompe-l’oeil’ frescoes. ‘Trompe-l’oeil’ literally means “to deceive the eye. It is a technique in which the artist uses realistic imagery to create an illusion where a flat surface appears to be more than meets the eye. 

If you love street art, you can pick up a map from the Tourist Office which will show you where to find the frescos, but many are dotted around the historic centre, so you will come across a few as you wander around. For more information on the frescos of Beziers, check out this post.

Visit the Béziers Cathedral

Well, you can’t visit a French city and not see the cathedral. The Saint-Nazaire Cathedral is a must-see attraction in Béziers. It is a stunning example of Gothic architecture, and from the square in front of the cathedral, there are views across the countryside and the River Orb. 

Visit the Église de la Madeleine

While we are talking about churches, the Église de la Madeleine is worth a visit. This historic church is known for its beautiful stained-glass windows and unique architecture. It’s also where a horrific massacre occurred on 22nd July 1209, when 7000 people were killed during the Albigensian Crusade, aka the Cathar Crusade.

 The purpose of this crusade was to squash the growing Cathar movement, a religious sect that was challenging the teachings of the Catholic Church. 

Closed for renovations when I was there, the nearby medieval Saint-Jacques Church is known for its unique octagonal bell tower and beautiful stained glass windows.

Les Allées Paul-Riquet

Les Allées Paul Riquet was built in 1827 over the remains of the ramparts and moats that surrounded the city until the 17th century.

It’s now a lovely pedestrian zone with bars, cafes and trees! People come in the evenings to stroll; sometimes, there’s a mini flea market. It’s just a pleasant place to wonder.

The statue of Paul Riquet by David D’Angers (1838) was erected in tribute to the city’s favourite son, the man who designed and built the Canal du Midi.

At the top of the Allées Paul Riquet stands the Theatre Municipal De Béziers which opened in 1844. Several festivals, concerts, and performances take place here throughout the year. 

Check online or at the tourist information centre for details regarding events.

Take A Stroll By The Canal du Midi And Visit The Nine Locks of Fonséranes

The Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a 17th-century canal connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. The canal was originally built to avoid pirate raids in the Strait of Gibraltar and to shorten the long trade route, but now it’s a popular place for boating. It is just a thirty-minute pleasant countryside walk away from Beziers, which can be done as a circular walk, returning to town via the Old Bridge (Pont Vieux.)

Don’t miss the Nine Locks of Fonséranes. The series of eight locks and nine basins, called the ‘Octuple’, enables boats to navigate a difference in elevation of 21.50 metres in a distance of 300 metres. As with all the locks along the Canal du Midi, the basins are oval: this shape allows the stone walls to be better able to withstand the pressure of the water pouring in.

A few years ago, Jonathan, myself and a couple of friends hired a barge and spent two weeks on the Canal du Midi. Check out this post if you want to know how we got on. 

If you don’t fancy walking there, you can take Le Petit Train, which departs from the Place du Forum near the Tourist Information Centre and does a tour of the city, including visiting the nine locks. 

A Tourist Boat Making Its Way Through The Locks

Relax By The River Orb

The River Orb runs through Béziers, and its river banks offer opportunities for swimming, kayaking, or in my case, an excuse to sit in nature and enjoy the goodies I picked up in the local market. 

Les Halles de Béziers 

The market hall, which dates back to 1891, but restored in the 1980s, continues to serve as a vibrant indoor food market. You can buy fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses, fish, and regional products here. Be sure to pick up a bottle or two of the local wine. 

Béziers is part of the Languedoc wine region, known for its delicious wines. Although, I was too nervous to try the wine below!

There are several restaurants with outdoor dining around the market. 

 Plateau des Poètes

The Plateau des Poètes is a lovely park at the bottom of Les Allées Paul Riquet, with a small lake and many statues of French poets and writers. It’s also a pretty place to walk through on your way to the train station. 

Polygone Beziers 

Ok, maybe not one of the best things to do in Beziers, but if you need to do some shopping and you can’t find what you’re looking for in the old part of town, head down to the Polygone shopping mall. 

From the outside, it does look a bit of a 1970s monstrosity, but it’s much nicer on the inside and all open air. For many people, coming from places with fancy shopping malls, you probably won’t be that impressed, but as I live in Malta, I found it quite exciting. 

Favourite Lunchtime Spots In Beziers 

Plenty of choices when it comes to eating out in Beziers, but I particularly liked Cafe de Plaisance by the Canal du Midi and La Victoire on Les Allées Paul-Riquet. 

As I was house-sitting while in Beziers, I would often have the plat du jour at lunchtime and then just bring back a baguette and some cheese to nibble on in the evening with my furry friends. 

Easy Day Trips From Beziers By Train

Agde 

According to the tourist office in Beziers, Agde, the third oldest town in France, is conveniently accessible with just a short train ride of about ten minutes.

During my visit, perhaps due to the overcast sky that day, the combination of the grey sky and the historic buildings constructed from black volcanic rock, reminiscent of Catania, Sicily, gave the town a somewhat gloomy and sombre atmosphere. 

However, I took a leisurely stroll through the streets. Although initially I was somewhat underwhelmed, I did end up enjoying a delicious, leisurely fish lunch at one of the charming riverside restaurants.

Sète 

Sete is the next train stop on from Agde, and what a lovely town. I first visited Sète on a Viking Cruise from Barcelona to Rome. 

Sete is a lovely coastal town, often called the “Venice of Languedoc,”. 

It’s fun to wander around Sete’s picturesque harbour, take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront, and treat yourself to a seafood lunch at one of the cosy restaurants.

Narbonne 

Narbonne is also one train stop away from Beziers but in the opposite direction, and what a lovely place this is. 

The city’s history can be traced back to Roman times when it served as a major Roman port and was even the capital of the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis. As a result, Narbonne boasts several well-preserved Roman ruins.

However, the city’s main attraction is the Narbonne Cathedral, a magnificent Gothic structure with a stunning interior. The Archbishop’s Palace, next door to the cathedral, is also worth visiting.

One of the highlights of Narbonne is its bustling Les Halles market, a covered food market that showcases the region’s gastronomic delights. You can find fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and local specialities here. 

Easy Day Trips From Beziers By Bus 

Pezanas 

Just a short 30-minute bus ride away lies the charming town of Pezanas. 

Pezanas is particularly famous for its enchanting old town, where you can find stunning buildings that date back to the 16th to 18th centuries. As you wander the narrow streets, you’ll find talented local artisans showcasing their crafts. 

Don’t miss the lively market that takes place every Saturday morning, offering an array of fresh produce, clothing, and handmade goods.

Another highlight of Pezanas is its association with the renowned French playwright Molière, who resided and created masterpieces in the town during the 17th century.

Getting there by bus is straightforward; just keep some spare change with you, and you can conveniently pay the bus fare as you board.

How To Get To Beziers 

By plane 

Low-cost airline Ryan Air offers direct flights to Beziers from various UK airports, Paris Beauvais, Brussels, Düsseldorf and Stockholm. Beziers Airport is just 13 kilometres from the city, and an airport shuttle bus takes you into town. 

Other nearby airports include Carcassonne, Montpellier, Toulouse and Marseille.

By train 

There are TGV (high-speed trains) connections from Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux and local trains to Carcassonne, Montpellier, Narbonne and Sete. Trains can be booked in advance through SNCF, or for ease, I usually book through OMIO as it’s easier for me to understand.

By car 

Or you could rent a car. Although, honestly, if you plan to stay in Beziers, it is easy to get around on foot. 

Where To Stay In Beziers 

There is accommodation to suit all budgets in Beziers; check here for inspiration. I was house-sitting as I love pet cuddles when I travel and the opportunity to live like a local. I find my house sits through Trusted Housesitters. If you want to join, this link will give you 25 % off your membership. 

These are just a few suggestions of things to do in Béziers. The city has a lot to offer; I hope to return soon. 

For More Posts On France, Check These Out 

• Cruising the Canal du Midi   
• One Day in Narbonne      
• Day Trip To Sete            
• Beautiful Mont Saint Michel Photos
• A Feast of Oysters in Cancale, France                                  
• Things to do in Lyon 
• A Day Trip to Giverny from Paris 
• Explore Paris Like A Local With Paris Greeters 
• Visiting The Paris Catacombs
• Pere La Chaise Cemetery 
• A Secret Food Tour In Paris 
• Bayonne 
• An Afternoon in Angouleme
• Day Trips Around The Loire Valley By Train
• The Incredible Frescoes of Beziers
• A Luxury Barge Cruise On The Burgundy Canal
• Best Things To Do In Bordeaux
• Saint Emilion: Day Trip From Bordeaux or Stay Overnight?
• Day Trip To Montpellier By Train
  
  
  
  
  

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