Pezenas, France
Self Catering Pezenas Accommodation – Villas Pezenas
Pézenas is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon, southern France. "Pézenas" is derived from the older name Piscenae, probably from the Latin word piscenis, meaning fishpond. According to legend, there was a lake full of fish behind the town’s château! The origins of Pézenas are unclear, but were influenced by three factors: water from the River Peyne, an ancient pre-Roman route from Rodez to Saint-Thibéry and a defensive hill site.
When you rent self catering holiday accommodation in Pezenas, France make sure to catch sight of the chateau. A medieval castle, it’s currently being refurbished with a view to opening to the public.
A castle is first mentioned on this site around 990. However, there are claims that it was founded by the Celts in 407BC and that the site was also a fortress of Julius Caesar. A document of 1118 records that the Count of Béziers, Bernard Athon, ceded the castellum of Pézenas to his son, Raimon. The castle became a royal castellany in 1262. The latest castle was originally built by the Duc de Montmorency, François de Montmorency in 1575.
When you stay in a Pezenas holiday rental villa or cottage, make sure you leave some time to take in some of the incredible 115 historical edifices the French Ministry of Culture lists in Pézenas. The main sights include: the old town centre with narrow streets and Hôtel Privet (grand Town Houses from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, when Pézenas was the seat of the Governors of Languedoc). Musée de Vulliod Saint-Germain holds collections illustrating the town's history and a room dedicated to Molière.
When you rent a self-catering holiday home in Pezenas you might also be interested to view the town’s churches. These include the Collégiale Saint-Jean church (18th century), designed by Jean-Baptiste Franque, contains an organ by Lépine. The church of Saint-Jean-de-Bébian, romanesque, classed as a Monument Historique. The church of Sainte-Ursule, built in 1686 by the master mason Antoine Carrier, became the parish church after the Concordat.
Travelling to your rental property in Pezenas, France;The nearest international airport is Béziers Cap d'Agde Airport – Ryanair offers flights to and from the UK. Montpellier, Nîmes, Perpignan and Carcassonne airports are all within easy reach. The nearest main line train station is Agde. Route Nationale 9, which used to pass through the town centre, has been replaced by a bypass which now forms the final few miles of the A75 auto route from Clermont-Ferrand, soon to be extended the last few miles to join the A9 at Béziers.
The Languedoc-Roussillon region is the hottest in mainland France. The coastline, sheltered by mountains, tends to be sunnier and warmer than the inland areas. The mountains of course tend to be cooler.