Map of France with Béziers marked.

Béziers, France

Today we explored the old city of Béziers on Shane Spiegelman’s recommendation.

Olga at the Flower Market Christopher Werby

Olga at the Flower Market

Street with Archway Olga Werby

Olga on a Street with Trompe l’Oeil Christopher Werby

Olga and Old Sign which says “Beurrerie Moderne” (Butter Production Plant) Christopher Werby

An Ad for Hair Removal Timothy Werby

Umbrella-Roofed Passageway Christopher Werby

Timothy, Olga, and Nicholas in the Cimetière Vieux (Old Cemetary) Christopher Werby

Cimetière Vieux

Béziers City Center

The old cathedral and fortress, Cathédrale Saint-Nazaire de Béziers, is next to the L’Orb river (2 on the map above).

Cathédrale Saint-Nazaire de Béziers, Pont Vieux (Old Bridge), and L’Orb River Christopher Werby

Christopher, Nicholas, and Timothy all Photograph the Cathédrale Saint-Nazaire de Béziers Olga Werby

Olga with Cathédrale Saint-Nazaire de Béziers and Pont Vieux (Old Bridge) Behind Her Christopher Werby

We liked the view so much we all took photos of it.

Cathédrale Saint-Nazaire de Béziers

Cathédrale Saint-Nazaire de Béziers Olga Werby

Cathédrale Saint-Nazaire de Béziers Olga Werby
Cathédrale Saint-Nazaire de Béziers — Cloister Olga Werby

The cathedral and cloister date from the 13th and 14th centuries, but it burned down and was rebuilt multiple times. You can tell layers of time by the changes in the structure.

Altar and Chancel

Cathédrale Saint-Nazaire de Béziers — Interior — Altar and Chancel Christopher Werby

Organ Pipes

Cathédrale Saint-Nazaire de Béziers — Interior — Organ Pipes Christopher Werby
Cathédrale Saint-Nazaire de Béziers — Interior — Joan d’Arc Alcove Christopher Werby

Joan d’Arc Alcove

Cathédrale Saint-Nazaire de Béziers — Interior Detail — 12th Station of the Cross, Silver Repoussé and Chasing Christopher Werby

12th Station of the Cross, Silver Repoussé

Cathédrale Saint-Nazaire de Béziers — Interior — Nicholas at First Landing Olga Werby

There were stairs — narrow, scary, spiral stairs — to climb to the bell tower. After my adventures in Nîmes, I opted out. The first section of the stairs are inside the cathedral. Tim had already scaled the structure. Nick climbed next, stopping at the first landing.

Nick said the stairs from the landing to the bell tower were even scarier and texted me to avoid it. He said that during the climb, he developed a new fear of heights.

View from the Tower

Looking Down on a Gargoyle Timothy Werby

View from the Tower Looking Straight Down Timothy Werby

View from the Tower Nicholas Werby

View from the Tower Timothy Werby

View from the Tower Timothy Werby
Timothy Atop the Tower Nicholas Werby

A bit lower to the ground, the view was still spectacular. There was a lovely side garden and we went there to view the city and the countryside and enjoy the day.

Chapel Roof Christopher Werby

Tim Searches Ground Olga Werby

Tim looked for cool artifacts. He found an interesting 6-sided coin, but we can’t really tell what it is—it needs Katya’s expertise in antiquities restoration.

Like every magical tower, this one had a thicket of thistles growing below to prevent amorous princes from climbing the walls.

Thistles Olga Werby

Timothy and Nicholas on Pont Vieux (Old Bridge) Olga Werby

Exterior Staircase Olga Werby

View of the River L’Orb from Pont Vieux (Old Bridge) Timothy Werby

Nicholas, Timothy, and Olga Cross Pont Vieux (Old Bridge) with Cathédrale Saint-Nazaire de Béziers in the Background Christopher Werby
Nicholas and Christopher Olga Werby

Timothy in an Archway Under Pont Vieux (Old Bridge) Christopher Werby

C’est tout.

Love from France!