The Canal du Midi runs through the centre of Villeneuve-Lès-Béziers and gives the town its character as a waterside cultural landscape. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Other highlights include the Romanesque Church of Saint-Étienne, remnants of medieval fortifications and a surviving tower from the former residence of the local lords. These offer concrete themes to help you plan your trip: the canal banks, local history and wine country.

Find your way along the Canal du Midi

From Villeneuve-Lès-Béziers, you can walk along the banks of the Canal du Midi towards Béziers. The canal bridge provides a crossing to the town centre and serves as a useful landmark. There is also a protected nautical mooring on the canal, with berths, drinking water and sanitary facilities. A section of the cycle path along the canal has been developed towards Cers. The walking and cycling routes therefore lead in different directions.

The church and local history

The Church of Saint-Étienne is Romanesque and was built in the 10th century. The earliest known text to mention it dates from 1160. The construction date and the first written mention answer two different questions: when the church was built and when it was first mentioned. The historic inventory inside the church also includes an organ.

Remnants of medieval walls have been preserved in the historic centre. The Tour du Château is the surviving remains of the former residence of the local lords. It has been restored and is maintained by the municipality. The former town hall was built in 1780 and now houses an exhibition hall.

Wine country and habitats

Villeneuve-Lès-Béziers is part of the Natura 2000 site “Est et Sud de Béziers”. In the Orb plain, the site includes bird habitats, including vineyards suitable for songbirds. This ecological perspective complements the town’s built heritage with a focus on habitats.

The vineyards along the banks of the Canal du Midi belong to the IGP Pays d’Oc and IGP Coteaux de Béziers. The Alma Cersius wine cellar in Villeneuve-Lès-Béziers has also been awarded the “Vignobles & Découvertes” label. The IGP names refer to the vineyards, while the label applies to the wine cellar.

Routes in the area

The “Entre Canal du Midi et vignobles” loop is easy to follow and marked with yellow waymarkers. The tourist route information for it was published in 2024.

In the Villeneuve-Lès-Béziers area, the Oenorando® “Entre Canal du Midi et Vignoble” invites visitors to discover the landscapes and the mosaic-like diversity of grape varieties. Check current route conditions and access information before setting out.

Decide whether you’d like your stay to focus more on local history and heritage, or on trails, nature and wine.

Discover more destinations: Montblanc, Valros, Loupian, Prades-Sur-Vernazobre, Saint-André-De-Sangonis, Saint-Étienne-D'albagnan, Saint-Maurice-Navacelles, Ferrals-les-Montagnes

For the regional travel overview: Hérault.