Béziers, France—Why You Should Visit: 2023 Travel Guide
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Loading... - Regina Aguirre
- 20 Feb 2023
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Béziers, France? Never heard of it.
I hear that often when I rave about our 2022 summer trip, and it’s a shame. What’s not to love about 10-euro meals of fresh oysters and a glass of chilled local wine? What’s not to love about a town that looks like the set of “The Aristocats”? What’s not to love about exploring medieval castles, visiting pristine beaches, cheering for boat jousters and shopping at markets featuring everything from flowers to fashion? Allow me to introduce you to my new favorite ville.
Béziers: The Basics
Béziers (BEH-zi-ay) is a small city of 76,000 or so residents located in the Languedoc region of France, roughly halfway between Barcelona and Marseille. Languedoc is called a well-kept secret because it offers beaches very similar to those on the French Riviera for a fraction of the price. I wholeheartedly agree with the characterization, but it only scratches the surface of what the region has to offer.
Béziers has all the basics a French town needs: bakeries, restaurants, vineyards, markets, but it also has civic pride. You often hear “Aqui es Béziers!” shouted at local events, which is a bit jarring at first since it sounds Spanish, not French. We asked around and found that it’s actually a throwback to the original Occitan language that predated both French and Spanish in the region.
Things To Do in Béziers
Before I address what to do in Béziers, I want to share my philosophy of travel: There are “Do” places and there are “Be” places. “Do” places have so many museums, sites, etc. that you feel obligated to always be busy. “Be” places have plenty of things to do as well, but there’s not the pressure to hit them all. What’s important is taking in the vibe of the place.
Béziers is a “Be” place. With the luxury of a month’s stay, we were able to alternate active days with those spent doing nothing more than walking two minutes to the bakery for baguette and pastries, strolling around the shops—of which there is a surprising amount of vintage for such a small city—snacking on wine and oysters then later enjoying dinner on the square. Read More…
