Country France Department Hérault Intercommunality Domitienne Area 38.46 km² | Region Occitanie Canton Béziers-3 Population (2008) 4,181 Arrondissement Béziers | |
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Cazouls-lès-Béziers is a commune in the Hérault department in southern France.
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Map of 34370 Cazouls-l%C3%A8s-B%C3%A9ziers, France
Geography
The town of Cazouls lès Béziers is situated 15 kilometres north of the city of Béziers and is midway between the Mediterranean coast and the Languedoc Natural Park.
Economy
This is a rapidly growing town with new housing developments (lotissements), industrial zones and supermarkets. The town has good schools for students to the age of 16 years and a new Maison de Retraite. The local industry is substantially based on wine with many fine independent vintners and a large cooperative. The community is very active with many clubs and associations for sports and the arts, well supported by the Mairie. However, these activities are focussed on the local community and offer little for the tourist.
Old town
Centred on the town square with the town hall, a fine church, an ancient clock tower and 2 bars, the buildings are mostly stone-built medieval houses that reflect their agrarian history. A walk through the old town will reveal narrow streets and interesting alleys interspersed with grand Maisons de Maître although occasionally marred by unsympathetic renovations. A substantial proportion of the older houses are now holiday homes and the village centre is far livelier in summer than in winter. Whilst interesting, the old town lacks the attractions enjoyed by the nearby circulades (Murviel, Thezan etc.) and the picturesque Roquebrun. Little has been done to make the town attractive to tourists and it retains its “working town” atmosphere.
Other sights
There is a well-stocked and informative Tourist Office and the Museum of Vignerons (Le Musee des Emiles) at Domaine Castan is well worth a visit. Other places of interest include the Roman Baths at Montmajou and the Chapelle de Notre Dame D’Ayde. Of greater importance to the tourist is the location of the town with ease of access to places such as Béziers, Narbonne and Carcassone, the beaches and fishing villages of the Mediterranean coast and the rivers, gorges and mountains of the Park Natural.