Beziers

Specialising in comfortable, mid-range accommodation, Beziers is geared towards visiting professionals. The only four-star hotel in the town centre is the Mercure Beziers, which is located next to the convention centre for well-to-do business travellers. Holidaymakers should aim for city centre accommodation, such as the Appart’ City Beziers which boasts a selection of stylish studios and apartments with their own kitchenettes. Alternatively, you can head outside of the city to the stunning Chateau de Raissac, which has a selection of homely period-styled rooms to suit every budget.

Beziers has a ring of shopping centres and hypermarkets surrounding it, however, bypass those and make a beeline for the streets in the centre of the city for an authentic experience. Head towards the Old Town and you’ll be rewarded with a jumble of patisseries, boulangeries and boutiques. If you’d rather go all out and indulge in a full shopping spree, you can head to the Polygone Shopping Centre near the station, where you’ll find everything from a bowling alley and theatre to upmarket fashion boutiques.

As with many towns and cities in the south of France, the best cuisine found in Beziers combines the French passion for fine cuisine with plenty of Spanish flare. The star in the city’s culinary crown is Octopus where you can find seasonal dishes based around fresh fish and seafood, Octopus has become famous across the region for its creative concoctions. Foodies may also want to hunt down the modern L’Ambassade which is known for its beautifully presented dishes and classy service.

The Languedoc region has plenty of its own traditions and events to entertain visiting tourists. If you fancy including one of these celebrations in your holiday we have a few to recommend:

Fete Medievale des Caritats a Beziers

This incredible medieval fair takes over the town of Beziers for a weekend of fun for all the family in May. Look out for jousting, archery and even arm-to-arm combat as you weave through medieval markets, craft workshops and even take in a costumed parade up the Allees.

Locks Festival on the Canal du Midi

The perfect backdrop for an annual celebration of art and culture, the locks that punctuate the canal at Fonserannes, near Beziers, are a part of the incredible 17th-century Canal du Midi which is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. The festival offers some of the best that Beziers has to offer including presentations, exhibitions and talks, as well as several tastings and food displays.