Twofer: Pezenas and Beziers

John had his heart set on seeing the water management of the Canal du Midi in Beziers. The Canal du Midi, completed in 1676, is 250 kilometers long and is part of a system of waterways that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

During our train versus bus analysis, we realized that the town of Pezenas, where the Montpellier-Beziers bus switches, is a place of interest in its own right plus it's Saturday market day. At two euros for the 80 km bus ride, we could not resist the bargain.

We ended up seeing Pezenas during their Saturday market, then finishing walking around town on our way back in the afternoon. Pezenas' well preserved medieval center is the most architecturally harmonious town/village we have come across. Their Saturday Market is not unlike the ones we saw in Provence, maybe not so many international visitors. Many French families were simply enjoying a beautiful Saturday.

Beziers was bigger than I expected, though the historical center emptier than Pezenas. As everywhere else in France, there is much remodeling of public spaces. Beziers, started by Greeks, is one of the oldest towns in France; and with a tumultuous history.

Today Beziers still has an impressive looking fortress-like cathedral. The UNESCO Canal du Midi 1) goes over the river Orb on a bridge 2) drops precipitously at 9-stage lock on the edge of town. However, their main industry, wine, has seen much international competition in recent decades, so the town is not exactly booming. Yet, I think the town deserves more traffic.

The Pezenas Market.




And around town.


In the Jewish Ghetto


The Moliere Hotel.


On to Beziers. City Center.


Church with boat image.


Hotel de Ville (City Hall).


Around Town.




Not easy to get an up-close view of the Cathedral...


...but there are some great views from the Bishop's Garden - also = picnic lunch spot. See the old Roman bridge over the Orb at lower left.


Beziers' Roman Arena is now an open space garden with just a hint of its past glory.




The views of the Cathedral improve as one goes down to the river and the old bridges.










Approaching the staircase Fonserannes Locks of the Canal du Midi with 9 locks (8 basins).


A boat is going downstream through the locks which generates excitement from young and old.












We I could have watched the locks for hours, but there was a bus to catch so it's downstream to the Pont Canal where the Canal du Midi crosses the Orb River on a bridge.


And then to the bus.


A view from the bus window that is more or less towards Sete, France.