Béziers turned out to be a very interesting city. As Malcolm said it is indeed a working city. There are not really any tourist destinations, however a city of this age has plenty of interesting historical sites. The city itself is busy, sometimes loud, a bit dirty, and always on the move. There is a large ethnic mix which keeps the tradition evolving. The cuisine certainly mirrors this. I suppose my only real complaint is the overwhelming amount of dog pooh. Truly, it a site to behold. The sweepers come through three days a week. They are followed by a large “hotsy” that then washes off the brushes. I wanted to do a post that was only pictures of the offending goo. Although some people would think it funny and perhaps artsy (think the Brooklyn Art Museum exhibition Sensation), others (think my mother) would consider it in very poor taste. Suffice to say, the mothers won out.
Tourist town or no, I found some lovely sites.
My Neighborhood
Next Street Over
Local Afternoon Hangout
Allées Paul Riquet, The Center of All Life
Pierre-Paul Riquet, Founder Canal du Midi
Looks Like They Moved!
Friday Market
Lunch!
Choice of 'Shrooms
Local Fish Stand
Amusement Along the Allée
Local Harvest Celebration
Fountain Along the Allée
Local Inhabitant
Tags:
Beziers
Our Saturday luncheon took place in the courtyard in front of l’eglise Saint-Jacques. I am not absolutely clear on the history of this small church. I can tell you that it is quite beautiful. There are references to some kind of holy site here as early as 900 AD. Clearly some parts of this building were built/renovated in the 11th and 12th centuries. I am seeing some sources that are linking this church to St. Jacques who seems to have roamed a great deal of the French/Spanish countryside and now has a long route named after him (in France called chemin de St-Jacques). David and I have seen many people walking/biking this route. Some of it is quite lovely and rural, other parts run “right through town”. Whether or not the famous St. Jacques passed through this exact location I cannot be sure. Mass is held weekly on Tuesday evenings.
Coquille St. Jacques!?
A Quiet Corner
Blue Light
Church Statue Overlooking City Below
Tags:
Beziers,
Languedoc
Last spring while enjoying a beautiful day in Vaison-la-Romaine I turned a corner and noticed a number of tables and chairs set up for what looked like a banquet luncheon. A group of women were putting out baskets with the typical picnic fare of des sauscisses, du pain, du fromage et du vin. Others began to arrive, some with baskets of additional items or even more of the same. I was a bit baffled at first but insight came quickly as I read the sign hanging in the shop windows on that block…it was indeed a “block party”. Not sure now what they called it, but clearly the neighborhood was gathering for a midday meal.
According to Malcolm this is not unusual and is in fact part of neighborhood life in France. It happened that his quartier was having just such a gathering on Saturday. It was billed as a “sardinade” as the theme was sardines. A large drum was retooled to be a BBQ and not long after the noon bell the Q was fired up and the sardines were grilling.
We were joined by friends of Malcolm’s, Lesly and Geoff. We each brought some extra goodies along and plenty of vino and set up around the square of tables as did the other neighbors. The day was very windy and the temperature hovered around 12 degrees (<54 degrees F). It was chilly indeed and lavish helpings of wine seemed the only rational defense.
Even the sardines went down well with the wine of the day.
Our Chef
The Neighbors
More Neighbors
Our Table Mates
Geoff, Lesly, and Malcolm
Leslie Sharing Her Delicious Cake
Tags:
Beziers
