Beziers

The Cap d’Agde is a large marina on the Mediterranean made up of small basins, where life is punctuated with regattas, competitions and nautical events such as the Salon Nautique in autumn during All Saints weekend. It features state-of-the-art equipment in a protected environment. It offers 3.300 stands and can accommodate boats from 6 to 35 metres. The port of the Cap d’Agde is Blue Pavilion certified (the eco-label which guarantees the quality of water) and the flagship port of the Odyssea project for the development of sustainable marine industries, targeting ecotourism, river tourism and culture.

Cap d’Agde Mediterranean has 20 km of well-kept sandy beaches. Some of them are wheelchair accessible. Some beaches are wilder and more secluded, while others are lined with pine or tamarisk. Some accommodation has direct access to the beach. The water temperature ranges from 18 and 23° on average in the summer. All shops and services are available close to the beaches. The resort of Cap d’Agde has the Family Plus label.

The canal can be discovered in many ways: the classic way is an excursion boat, departing from Agde, Grau d'Agde, Vias or Portiragnes, with or without meals. You can also travel along the banks of the canal, on the old towpath by bike or on foot in certain parts. Various events are organised on the canal, such as music cruises. Lastly, you can rent a canal and navigate the Canal as you please, or sleep in a floating guestroom.

The Métiers d'Art centre of Pézenas was designed around the theme of restoring heritage through wood, iron and stone crafts and, as necessary for Molière, the crafts of the theatre. Restoration crafts are essentially stonework, metalwork and woodwork with artisans that have labels allowing them to work on the restoration of historical monuments. Theatre crafts are currently located in Agde with a prop person who was trained at the Comédie Française. Other trades relate to restoring heritage such as gilding with fine gold, restoring paintings, creating and restoring stained-glass windows, and restoring antique furniture and upholstery.

Most of our towns and villages have a mediaeval origin; we find elements of this heritage in Agde (piece of ramparts and cathedral), Pézenas (Tower of Peyrat, Faugères gate), at Vias (old dwelling), Castelnau de Guers (the Castle), Saint-Thibéry (the abbey), the circular villages of Saint-Pons de Mauchiens, Caux, Nézignan l’Evêque and Nizas. The rural chapels of Saint-Jean de Bébian, Saint-Martin de la Garrigue, Saint-Martin de Conas and Saint-Adrien d’Adissan bear witness to this past, together with the fortified mills of Roquemengarde and Conas or the painted ceilings of the Brignac hotel in Montagnac.

The end of the French Wars of Religion gave way to a period of peace and prosperity in France. For many towns, this meant that the mediaeval walls were gradually abandoned to make room for expansion, with the development of promenades and avenues. The mediaeval fairs of Pézenas and Montagnac still held a strong passion and the richness of these cities resulted in the construction of many residences that can still be seen today. Agde saw a similar boom and its residences were built in basalt; this was also the case in Vias and Portiragnes. The churches are decorated with altarpieces (Pomérols, Pézenas) and furniture. You can discover these treasures with guided tours and a free tour map and audio text.

Cap d’Agde is increasingly active in favour of ecology with the Bagnas National Nature Reserve, "Les Posidonies du Cap d’Agde" (Cap d'Agde Posidonia) a Natura 2000 Preserved Marine Park, beach protection, green routes and a network of cycle tracks. Its Beach Quality Plan guarantees clean bathing water and coastlines in Cap d’Agde. Neighbouring Vias and Portiragnes, Pézenas and Saint-Pons de Mauchiens are also working to preserve endangered species and wetlands. With the wetland of Grande Maïre in Portiragnes or the nature reserve of Roque-Haute between Agde and Béziers. Do you know that bats have a Natura 2000 protected area in Pézenas and that the lesser kestrel now only nests in Saint-Pons de Mauchiens. At Bagnas, there are 250 protected bird species: stilts, ducks, flamingos, herons, birds of prey and other migratory birds...

A jewel of architecture, with various facets of the Middle Ages (a mediaeval Jewish quarter), Renaissance, but above all, 17th-century architecture, including many residences nestled into the streets of bygone age. It’s a town inhabited by the ghosts of Molière, the Prince of Conti and many others, and currently home to craftsmen, artists and entertainers. Three theatres continue Molière’s tradition while also showing modern creations, with cultural festivals throughout the year.