Beziers, located in the Occitanie region in southern France, was our first stop back in France after a month spent in Portugal and Spain. After arriving late on a Sunday afternoon, we left a day later after having been thoroughly charmed. Read on for our reasons for checking out Béziers, and what you should do once there.

understand

Béziers is located close to the French-Spanish border in Occitanie. As with many border regions, there is a curious melding of cultures in Occitanie, observable in the bull-ring located in Béziers, and the yearly fiesta that occurs, involving bullfighting. However, Béziers is one of the very oldest towns in France, with evidence of the township dating back to 525 BC. Over the years that city has experienced more than it’s fair share of historic events; with a wine growers revolt occurring in the late middle ages, a famous massacre during the Napoleonic wars, and as a holiday location for wealthy Romans during antiquity. Nowadays, the town is more known as being the regional centre for a large and thriving wine region - with hundreds of wineries dotting the countryside around Béziers.

why you should go

Béziers was a complete surprise for us. After initially only planning to stay for the afternoon there, we found ourselves dearly wishing that we had an extra day to spend wandering the captivating alleyways and exploring the local vineyards. The town is demonstrably spectacular. From the sloping cobblestone streets of the old town, to the sweeping views of the orb valley offered from the top of the central church, Béziers has beauty in spades. Moreover, most of the best things to do here are completely free.

Béziers is thoroughly off the tourist trail, and aside from campervans and the odd French tourist cruising through, the town is apparently quite neglected by Foreign tourists. As a result, the prices of food, services and activities within town seemed to b relatively lower on average than we saw elsewhere in southern France.

The wine about town is also fabulous. What’s more, despite Occitanie being one of the biggest wine producing regions in France, the region lacks the prestige of places such as the Loire Valley or Beaujolais, thus, the wine is considerably cheaper (but just as good). Therefore, you’d be hard pressed to find a more affordable destination in all of France that provides such beauty.

WHAT TO DO

• The best thing in town to do is to climb the The Saint Nazaire Cathedral. Built in the 13th century and used a major staging point for the Crusades, climbing to the top of the belltower of this cathedral is completely free, and will give you stunning views of the Orb valley and the surrounding area. Would recommend that you go at sunset. Read more about visiting here.

• Béziers Old Town offers the walker a warren of largely early medieval streets, extending from the Cathedral to the town centre. The old streets just off the main avenue feature both traditional shops and designer fashion houses.

• The Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, passes through Béziers. The canal was the creation of Paul Riquet. In the 17th century he completed the dream of joining the Mediterranean and the Atlantic ocean by a waterway. The canal is especially pretty from the old bridge that crosses over it.

• The Fine Arts Museum (musée des Beaux-Arts), founded in 1859, is located in the heart of town. Among the museum's works are canvasses by Hans Holbein, Sébastien Bourdon, Géricault, Vincent van Gogh, Chaïm Soutine and Henri Goetz.

• Wineries. There are heaps of wineries about Béziers. You can read my guide to my personal favourites here, but, you should consider checking out;

  • Domaine De la Barthe (14 Route de Capestang, 34500 Béziers)

  • Mas Le Chevalerie (chemin rural 13, Route de Murviel, 34500 Bézier)

  • Recoules Jean Marc (510 Traverse de Colombiers, 34500 Béziers)

EAT AND DRINK

• Cafe "La Comedie" (26 Allée Paul Riquet) is the oldest bar in town. Head here for a vin or two, expect local prices - very reasonable.

• "Cafe du Marche" next to Les Halles is also a good spot.

• Bar "Chez L" (Ave Clemenceau) faces the bus station and offers a reasonably priced lunch.

• Korrigan Pub (7 Rue Paul Riquet) offers live music and a variety of beers.

Any questions? Ask away in the comments below!