Harman Patil (Editor)

Bize Minervois

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Country
  
France

Department
  
Aude

Population (2008)
  
1,061

Local time
  
Friday 12:30 AM

Region
  
Occitanie

Canton
  
Ginestas

Area
  
20.8 km²

Arrondissement
  
Narbonne

Bize-Minervois mw2googlecommwpanoramiophotosmedium17076917jpg

Intercommunality
  
Canal du Midi en Minervois

Weather
  
9°C, Wind NE at 16 km/h, 88% Humidity

Bize-Minervois is a commune in the Aude department in southern France.

Contents

Map of 11120 Bize-Minervois, France

Geography

Located on the edge of the Haut-Minervois in the Cesse valley, Bize lies between the fertile sedimentary plain of Narbonne and the causses of the Minervois and the Montagne Noire. Bize is situated approximately 3 km north of the D5 between Olonzac and Capestang. Bize is a small village with a population approximately 1,000 where a quarter of the houses are second homes.

History

Bize is first mentioned in 911 in the will of man named Walcharius who left the lands of the parish of Saint-Saturnin of Bizan to the Archbishop of Narbonne. During the religious wars of the 16th century Bize changed hands many times and in 1573 was fortified as a protestant stronghold against the catholic Bishops of Narbonne.

Sights

  • Caves Las Fonts (Moulin) - Paleolithic caves, now a classified monument where prehistoric remains were discovered in 1827 by French archaeologist and scientist Paul Tournal, founder of the Narbonne Museum.
  • La Porte Saint Michel 1236 - the main gate in to the village coming from the direction of Narbonne. A second gate, La Porte St Croix - the entrance from the direction Argeliers, Minerve and Saint-Pons - was demolished in the 19th century to allow easier passage for carts.
  • The church of Saint-Michel (18th century)

    • Events

  • 'Fete d l'olivier' - Festival of Olives is held annually in July
  • General market every Wednesday morning throughout the year

    • Amenities

    Bize has two bakers, two general stores, a post office, hairdressers, a woodburner store, a pharmacy, and a wine cave. There is also a bar and several restaurants. Sporting facilities include a boulodrome, football pitches (home of Bize FC), tennis courts and in the summer the Cesse is dammed to create a freshwater swimming hole.

    References

    Bize-Minervois Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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