Heritage
Cities full of art and history, festivities and traditions
Our countryside abounds with traces of the past. Since prehistoric times, men have built homes here, temples for their gods, new places to live and refuges to protect themselves from invaders. Everywhere you go, you will find such places. For example, a “capitelle”,is a dry-stone hut which have sheltered shepherds since the dawn of time. Here one also finds y the remains of a Roman settlement like the Oppidum at Enserune.There are many more discoveries that await as well.
Civilisations
The ancient Greeks left their mark on Agde and the Romans on Béziers. The monks raised 14th century abbeys, such as Fontcaude, and churches such as in Capestang. The people of Pézenas built palaces in the 17th century and in the 19th, the winemakers constructed their chateaux. In Minerve, the memory of the Cathars is still alive.Here,the historical presence holds no bounds.
Traditions
At carnival time, the symbolic animals of historical stories return in splendour by appearing on decorative totems that are diplayed in the local villages; like the famous Foal of Pézenas and the Camel of Béziers: but not everything is a relic of the past.
Contemporary
Contemporary artists exhibit in many venues, such as the Museum of Modern Art at Sérignan. One can find theatrical productions and current music at Sortie Ouest and at Zinga Zanga in Béziers's surrounding area. As for the summer, entertainment is even more festive and picturesque, like the Feria of Béziers, the nightlife at the Cap d’Agde and the many festivals which take place over the whole region.
