Tourism in Béziers
on the Canal du Midi
The capital of the Béziers region, Béziers on the banks of the Canal du Midi is a unique city, both cultural and dynamic in the colors of southern France. Situated in the Languedoc hinterland, this inland town is a must-see. From the Domaine Sainte Véziane, our campsite near Vias, you can take a day or half-day trip without having to travel the crowded roads of the coast. Whether in summer or off-season, let yourself be charmed by one of France’s oldest cities. Béziers, and the Hérault region in general, is an ideal destination for camping vacations. The town is packed with places to visit, and offers the chance to take a trip on the remarkable Canal du Midi.
Béziers, a Mediterranean city
to visit in Hérault
Just 10 km from our year-round campsite in Vias, you’ll find Béziers: overlooking theOrb and the Canal du Midi, the city, made prosperous in the 19th century by the rise of the vineyard, is a treasure trove of hidden treasures. The second-largest city in theHérault department, Béziers boasts a strong historical and cultural heritage, earning it the “Ville d’art et d’histoire” label.
It’s also famous for its rugby team and its August feria, the biggest in the region. Among these places of interest, you’ll discover :
- Saint-Nazaire Cathedral
- The historic city center
- The Poets’ Garden
- Le Pont Vieux
béziers visit
Visit the must-see places
in Béziers
Let’s start with Béziers town center, where you can discover numerous religious buildings and historic monuments such as the Pont Vieux, dating from the 12ᵉ century, the Pénitents chapel and the Saint-Nazaire cathedral.
The latter, in Gothic style and listed as a historic monument since 1840, was built on a rocky promontory between the 13ᵉ and 15ᵉ centuries.
Also located in the city center, the Roman arena, built in 1887 on the same model as the Spanish bullring, has given Béziers the nickname of the “French Seville”.
Under the leadership of the Béziers town council, the arena is set to become a place of culture, before being dedicated to bullfighting. Renovation work has already begun in this direction.
The 9 Fonséranes locks are another must-see in the town, and the 3ᵉ most visited tourist site in the region, after the Pont du Gard and Carcassonne.
The 9 terraced basins form a spectacular water staircase, a major work on the Canal du Midi, built in the 17ᵉ century by Pierre-Paul Riquet, a native of the town.
This set of contiguous locks allows you to overcome a 21.50-metre difference in height over a length of 300 metres.
A trip on the Canal du Midi from Béziers
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a visit to the Canal du Midi is a must. This jewel links Toulouse to the Mediterranean by water over a distance of almost 250 km.
Today, the Canal du Midi in Béziers is a popular destination for pleasure boaters and hikers. During your stay, plan a few essential stops on the Canal du Midi.
canal du midi walks along the
Major structures at the entrance to Béziers
You can start your walk at the Ensérune oppidum to visit this ancient Gallic village and its museum. The site is accessible from the village of Colombiers. You’ll love this charming river port, crossed by the Canal du Midi.
From the oppidum, admire the superb view of the Etang de Montady. Now dry, it’s one of the must-see sites on the Canal du Midi. You’ll be amazed by this sun-shaped landscape and the remarkable work of the men who once built this ingenious system to drain the water.
Not far from there, the Malpas tunnel, created in 1679, is the 1ᵉʳ tunnel-canal in history.
You then come to a sublime landscape, that of the Fonséranes locks, mentioned earlier.
The tour ends just outside Béziers, at the Orb canal bridge. It was built in 1854 to enable barges to reach the other side of the river more quickly. This historic monument can be crossed by bike, on foot or by boat.
The descent of the canal to the Mediterranean
On foot, by bike or by boat, let the water take you along its banks. After crossing the hinterland, the Canal du Midi takes you to the seaside resorts of the Mediterranean coast.
Start your tour at Villeneuve-lès-Béziers, 20 km from the Domaine Sainte Véziane campsite in Bessan, then head upstream to the Pointe des Onglous in Marseillan to witness the mouth of the canal on theEtang de Thau. Along the way, you’ll pass through the vineyards of Vias and theround lock at Agde. For boat trips, brochures are available at reception.
To find out more about the Canal du Midi, visit the Béziers tourism website.
Discover the Canal du Midi on a campsite near Béziers
From the Domaine Sainte Véziane, discover the most beautiful sites in the Hérault region, close to the sea, along the Canal du Midi, or inland.
The largest pond in Languedoc, theEtang de Thau, where the Canal du Midi ends, is just 30 km from the campsite. This small inland sea is home to exceptional biodiversity, and is a great place to stroll and discover the skills of oyster farmers.
And don’t miss the beautiful inland villages around our 4-star campsite in Hérault: Pézenas and the Salagou lake and Mourèze cirque, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Minerve, the Cathar city of Hérault, and the charming medieval village ofOlargues.
Domaine Sainte Véziane welcomes you to comfortable and spacious vacation rentals from January to December. Depending on your needs and budget, you’ll find what you’re looking for among our mobile home rentals near Vias.
During your stay near Vias, you and your family can enjoy the water park, the campsite and the many activities and entertainment (kids’ club, multi-sports pitch, evening entertainment, etc.).
Book your vacation at Domaine Sainte Véziane and make the most of the Hérault’s tourist attractions. In a natural environment, you can discover the region’s most beautiful sites, while enjoying all the comforts of camping during your stay near Vias.
