Many of the documents relating to the early history of Beziers were lost in the middle of the thirteenth century, in the aftermath of the crusade against the Albigenses, in 1209.
We do know that in very ancient times the area was inhabited by Celtic populations. Around 120 BC, Béziers and the surrounding region fell within the Roman Empire. Julius Caesar (100-44 B.C.) allowed the local population to have the status of ‘foederati’ (friends), and this allowed the Gauls to pay only a tribute to Rome and to maintain their traditions and customs.
After the period of unrest following the invasions by the Cimbri and Teutons, around 75 BC, the city became known as the ‘Civita Biterrensium’, ‘Baeterra’ and also ‘Bliterra Septimanorum’ - because it was settled by veterans of the Seventh Legion and several Roman citizens. Under Julius Caesar it was called ‘Julia Bliterra’ that seems to mean ‘the house on the plains’ but this is very uncertain.
The territory around Beziers was deeply romanized, as can be seen from a vast number of monuments: gravestones, tombs, inscriptions and statues of famous people (the marble busts of Agrippa [63-12 B.C.], Tiberius [42-37 B.C.] (or Caligula [12-41 A.D.]) and Germanicus [15 B.C.-19 A.D.]), public work such as aqueducts, an amphitheatre, and roads.
In the early Middle Ages Beziers suffered violent barbarian invasions by the Vandals, Visigoths and Saracens, later becoming the domain of various dukes and counts in the ninth century under the rule of Charlemagne (742-814) and his successors.
In later centuries the town was the focus of contention among the largest landowners and was designated a Municipality around the second half of the twelfth century.
Difficult times for the city during the Albigensian Crusade, when it offered hospitality and shelter to some heretics, and as a result underwent a siege by the Catholics, which ended in 1209, with massacres and destruction in the city. It ended up being run by Simon de Montfort (1160-1218), but for some centuries - and until the French Revolution – the bishops held prominent positions in the government of the city.
A decisive moment for the development of the city occurred around 1827, when a major renovation of the urban centre got underway, which gave Beziers its current appearance. This coincided with a significant commercial development related to the production of wine, and Béziers became a city of great industrial and cultural importance, with about 70,000 inhabitants.
Tourist classifications for Beziers history: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 1*; 'Historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé);
Suggested places to visit near Beziers history, France
Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.
Beziers 0km
Enserune 9km
Pezenas 21km
Agde 21km
More suggestions: Roquebrun 23km; Cap d'Agde 23km; Saint-Chinian 23km; Marseillan 25km; Narbonne 25km; Bize-Minervois 28km; Gruissan 29km; Etang de Thau 31km; Cirque de Moureze 32km; Meze 32km; Aigne 33km; Olargues 34km; Loupian 34km; Fontfroide Abbey 36km; Bouzigues 37km; Minerve 38km;
See these places and more on a map at places near Beziers
Beziers history tourism: sights and attractions nearby
Jardin des carrières de Saint-Adrien - remarkable garden (11km) : Parc et jardin du château de Margon - remarkable garden (17km) : Etangs du Bagnas - site of natural beauty (25km) : Narbonnaise en Méditerranée - regional natural parc (25km) : Etang de Thau - site of natural beauty (33km) : Cirque du Moureze - site of natural beauty (33km) : Valle du Salagou - grand site of france (36km) : Abbaye de Fontfroide (Narbonne) - religious monument (37km) :
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