The town of Pezenas is in the Herault department of Languedoc-Roussillon region, north of Agde and 20 kilometres north-east of Beziers in the Val d'Hérault. It is one of my favourite towns in this area and well worth the trip to visit it.
Explore Pezenas
Pezenas has a nice attractive old town, unspoiled by modern development, with narrow streets to explore as well as some grand 17th century houses. Its town centre was one of the first in France to be protected as an historic monument.
Look out for the magnificent detail as you amble through the lanes. There are example of lovely stone detail to windows and doors, interesting wrought iron balconies and stone staircases. There are numerous imposing houses from the 16th to 18th centuries including the Hotel Jacques Coeur, the Hotel Carion de Nizas and the Hotel de Lacoste among those to look out for.
There is also a well preserved Jewish ghetto in the town dating from the middle ages.
The most important religious monument in Pezenas is the 18th century Collegiale Church of Saint-Jean, above all for the important treasury that it contains. Others include the roman style Church of Saint-Jean-de-Bébian, classified as a historic monument, and the other main church - the Church of Saint-Ursule - also merits a visit.
The Tourist Office in Pézenas offers guided tours of the town to help you make the most of a visit. The tourist office itself was once the barbers shop and it was here apparently that Moliere dreamed up some of the characters for his plays.
If you are staying in or close to Pézenas during the evening you can wander through the old town and find a number of inviting restaurants to tempt you. The town is also reputed for its antique and bric-a-brac shops.
The town is especially proud of its association with Moliere, who brought his troupe to the town on several occasions, and has a monument to commemorate the fact by the reputed sculptor Jean-Antoine Anjelbert. Budding authors seeking inspiration can visit the Museum de Vulliod Saint-Germain where you can even see Moliere's armchair!
There is also a Museum of Toys, an Arts and Crafts Centre and an interesting Centre for Architecture and Heritage in Pezenas. Each summer Pezenas plays host to the Mirondela de l'Arte, and music and street entertainment takes over the town.
The market day is Saturday in Pezenas.
Attractions nearby
Not to be missed when you are at Pezenas is the nearby (12 km) Abbey at Valmagne, a classified historic monument and very beautiful abbey and cloister.
A tour of the surrounding villages in the Val d'Herault is also recommended - they are mostly quite small and clustered around a medieval church, with each having its own interest and characteristics. among others Caux, Castelnau-de-Guers, Pomerols, Nezignac l'Eveque and Florensac are all within easy reach of Pezenas.
Although Pézenas itself is in the countryside most visitors will want to see the sea at some point! We suggest you visit the resort at Cap d'Agde which has a long sandy beach.
You can find more travel ideas in the Herault guide and the Languedoc-Roussillon guide.
Photos of Pezenas
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Hotels in Pezenas
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Map of Pezenas and places nearby
Visit near Pezenas with France This Way reviews
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The large lagoon of the Etang de Thau has several interesting small fishing villages around its edges
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Villeneuvette
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Agde
Agde is a very pleasant, unspoiled town a few kilometres from the Mediterranean coast
Agde guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Herault
Tourist classifications for Pezenas
Pezenas has received the following tourist classifications: recommended detour town (plus beau detour); historical protected town centre' (secteur sauvegardé)
Address: Pézenas, Béziers, Languedoc-Roussillon, 34120, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 43.46, longitude 3.4236
Plan your visit to Pezenas, Herault
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Parc et jardin du château de Margon: remarkable garden (10 km)
- Céressou: site of natural beauty (10 km)
- Jardin des carrières de Saint-Adrien: remarkable garden (11 km)
- Etang de Thau: site of natural beauty (17 km)
- Cirque de Mourèze: site of natural beauty (19 km)
- Cirque du Moureze: site of natural beauty (19 km)
- Etangs du Bagnas: site of natural beauty (19 km)
- Beziers: secteur sauvegarde (22 km)
- Valle du Salagou: grand site of france (22 km)
- Grotte de la Clamouse: site of natural beauty (29 km)
- Saint Jean de Fos pont du diable (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (30 km)
- Enserune: national monument (30 km)
Market days in Pezenas, France
Regular market(s) are held in Pezenas each Saturday all day. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Pezenas (Francais)