{"id":9414,"date":"2022-12-07T11:20:20","date_gmt":"2022-12-07T10:20:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sitesdexception.fr\/what-to-visit-in-and-around-pezenas-places-not-to-be-missed\/"},"modified":"2025-04-04T10:16:35","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T09:16:35","slug":"what-to-visit-in-and-around-pezenas-places-not-to-be-missed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sitesdexception.fr\/en\/what-to-visit-in-and-around-pezenas-places-not-to-be-missed\/","title":{"rendered":"What to visit in P\u00e9zenas and around ? Places not to be missed"},"content":{"rendered":"

P\u00e9zenas<\/a> is a picturesque town located not far from Agde and the Bassin de Thau , in H\u00e9rault department.<\/p>\n

A royal and radiant city during the Renaissance, the city of Moli\u00e8re and Boby Lapointe… let’s go and discover this city of character, labelled as a city of art and history and its surroundings. A destination with a rich cultural and historical heritage, with no shortage of tourist attractions.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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What to do and see in P\u00e9zenas ?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>

A fair town in the Middle Ages, the place of the governors of Languedoc since the 16th century, the city of Moli\u00e8re and Boby Lapointe, P\u00e9zenas<\/a> has preserved the traces of a flourishing historical and cultural past. During a day in P\u00e9zenas, on a self-guided or guided tour, you can wander through the superb cobbled streets to discover the sumptuous private mansions, the museums or visit the many artists’ and craftsmen’s stalls that are the pride of the town, which has been labelled “Pays d’art et d’histoire” since 2002.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"P\u00e9zenas<\/span><\/div>
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P\u00e9zenas, city of the Grand Si\u00e8cle : a remarkable heritage <\/span><\/h3><\/h3><\/span>
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Its prestigious past has left a legacy of architectural heritage whose homogeneity and quality of preservation make it a unique place.<\/p>\n

Indeed, for more than a century, from the Renaissance to the 17th century, P\u00e9zenas was marked by the presence of the Montmorency family as governors of Languedoc.<\/p>\n

During this period the influence of P\u00e9zenas was such that it hosted the Etats du Languedoc on several occasions. These provincial assemblies of the Ancien R\u00e9gime, convened directly by the king, were held at the Maison consulaire (former town hall) in the heart of the historic centre. This superb building, classified as a historical monument, is located on Place Gambetta (pedestrianised). It is now home to the Maison des M\u00e9tiers d’art (more about this below in the paragraph on arts and crafts).<\/p>\n

As you wander through the town, push open the doors of the magnificent private mansions in the historic centre. Perfectly preserved and renovated, the architecture is of absolute finesse.<\/p>\n

The most famous are the Lacoste hotel and the S\u00e9bassan fleet hotel. They are located in the heart of the historic centre and are freely accessible. They sometimes host shops, exhibition spaces or private flats.<\/p>\n

Just a stone’s throw away, the Mus\u00e9e de Vulliod Saint Germain, which has been awarded the Mus\u00e9e de France label, preserves part of the town’s history. You can admire a rich collection of furniture from the 17th and 18th centuries with Louis XIII “cabinets”, seats, armchairs, sofas, etc. tracing the history of regional furniture from this period.<\/p>\n

Works of art and sculptures are on display as well as a collection of 18th century earthenware, with remarkable samples of earthenware from Moustier, Montpellier, Marseille and other places.<\/p>\n

The museum also has objects relating to Moli\u00e8re’s stay in P\u00e9zenas, in particular the famous “observatory” armchair, in which he used to sit when visiting his friend the barber G\u00e9ly.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"P\u00e9zenas<\/span><\/div>
\"P\u00e9zenas<\/span><\/div>
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P\u00e9zenas, city of Moli\u00e8re and Boby Lapointe<\/span><\/h3><\/h1><\/span>
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Moli\u00e8re, Boby Lapointe, these illustrious men have left their mark on the town of P\u00e9zenas.<\/p>\n<\/div>

MOLIERE – THE MAN OF THE THEATRE\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

P\u00e9zenas is often associated with Moli\u00e8re and this is not by chance.<\/p>\n

Indeed, although Moli\u00e8re was not born in P\u00e9zenas and never even lived there, he revealed himself as a man of the theatre. This sentence by Marcel Pagnol sums it up: “If Jean-Baptiste Poquelin was born in Paris. Moli\u00e8re was born in P\u00e9zenas”.<\/p>\n

Indeed, at that time (around 1650) P\u00e9zenas was a strong and influential place of the Ancien R\u00e9gime. It was the main residence of the Prince de Conti, governor of Languedoc. It was on the occasion of the Etats G\u00e9n\u00e9raux du Languedoc that Moli\u00e8re and his troupe of actors were asked to entertain the gentlemen of the Etats.<\/p>\n

Then, three years later, Moli\u00e8re became an actor for the States General and for his Royal Highness, the Prince of Conti!<\/p>\n<\/div>

BOBY LAPOINTE,\u00a0THE LOCAL BOY<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Boby Lapointe is a child of P\u00e9zenas. Born in 1922, the author and composer built an edifice of consonants, vowels, words and syllable games, puns and other figures of speech that are as funny as they are lively.<\/p>\n

His most famous songs ” La maman des poissons “, ” La peinture \u00e0 l’huile ” or ” Ta Katie t’a quitt\u00e9 ” are still remembered.<\/p>\n

In P\u00e9zenas, the museum “L’A-Mus\u00e9e Boby Lapointe”, located at 1 place Gambetta, in the barber shop G\u00e9l, is dedicated to him.<\/p>\n

Adults: 2\u20ac \/ 12->18 years: 50cts<\/p>\n

And every year, in spring, P\u00e9zenas welcomes the “Printival Boby Lapointe”.<\/p>\n

A French song festival organised by Jacky Lapointe, one of Boby’s daughters!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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P\u00e9zenas, city of artists and craftsmen<\/h1><\/span>
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In P\u00e9zenas there is no shortage of artists’, designers’ and craftsmen’s stalls. The artistic requirement and the quality are there.<\/p>\n

Pottery, ceramics, jewellery, tableware, furniture, sculpture, fashion, painting… the town’s policy favours the installation of these creators, with moderate rents. And they are there.<\/p>\n

They create and sell on the spot, so take advantage of it!<\/p>\n

The Maison des M\u00e9tiers d’art – Atelier d’art de France<\/strong>, located on Place Gambetta, is a boutique where unique or limited edition pieces by local craftsmen and women, as well as those from all over France, are exhibited and sold.<\/p>\n

There are also many antique and second-hand shops in P\u00e9zenas. There are no less than 26 of them. A street is almost dedicated to them. They are listed on this website<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

What to do and see around P\u00e9zenas ?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>

The area around P\u00e9zenas is not lacking in interest. Within a radius of a few kilometres, there are many cultural and heritage sites to visit.<\/p>\n

Here is a presentation of the main places to discover …<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Seigneurie<\/span><\/div>
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La Seigneurie de Peyrat (5 km from P\u00e9zenas )<\/span><\/h3><\/h3><\/span>
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Located between P\u00e9zenas and the Ch\u00e2teau-Abbaye de Cassan, the seigneury of Peyrat is in the heart of the Languedoc vineyards, this wine estate does not lack allure!<\/p>\n

Indeed, in addition to producing quality wines from grape varieties such as sauvignon, viognier, chardonnay, pinot noir or tempranillo…the seigneury of Peyrat is a heritage site in its own right.<\/p>\n

Since 1645, it has been the property of Etienne de Peyrat, descendant of an important family who controlled one of the five gates of P\u00e9zenas in the 15th century. He welcomed Louis XIV, who stayed there during his stay in P\u00e9zenas on 6 April 1660.<\/p>\n

The magnificent architecture of the place and the chapel with its painted walls bear witness to this flourishing period.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Ch\u00e2teau-abbaye<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Ch\u00e2teau Abbaye de Cassan\u00a0in Gabian (12 km from P\u00e9zenas)<\/span><\/h3><\/h3><\/span>
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Located at the gates of P\u00e9zenas, in the heart of the vineyards and olive groves, Ch\u00e2teau – Abbaye de Cassan<\/a><\/strong> has been a listed historic monument since 1953.<\/p>\n

Nicknamed “the Little Versailles of Languedoc”, the Ch\u00e2teau-Abbey of Cassan has undergone several transformations over the years.<\/p>\n

It was once a monastic residence, occupied by the Canons Regular in the 11th century, then a Royal Priory and a Princely residence.<\/p>\n

Its architecture bears witness to this eventful past (12th century church, 18th century salons) and gives this site a unique and exceptional character.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Abbaye<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Valmagne Abbey in Villeveyrac (14 km from P\u00e9zenas)<\/span><\/h3><\/h3><\/span>
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One of the most important Cistercian abbeys in France, but also one of the oldest vineyards in Languedoc!<\/p>\n

Located in Villeveyrac, near M\u00e8ze and the Etang de Thau in the heart of the Languedoc vineyards, the Abbey of Sainte Marie de Valmagne<\/strong><\/a> is one of the most beautiful abbeys in France.<\/p>\n

Founded in 1139, Valmagne Abbey experienced a period of splendour and wealth between the 12th and 14th centuries, becoming one of the richest abbeys in the south of France.<\/p>\n

The abbey, whose church was transformed into a wine storehouse in the 19th century, has been open to the public for 40 years.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>