Perched on a rocky plateau above the Orb River in the Hérault department, Béziers is one of the oldest cities in France, with a history stretching back over two and a half millennia. Its commanding Cathedral of Saint-Nazaire, rising dramatically above the riverbank, has defined the city's skyline since the medieval period and offers sweeping views over the surrounding vineyards and plains. Béziers sits at the heart of the Languedoc wine region, where robust red wines and a deeply rooted viticultural tradition reflect the character of the land and its people. The city also marks a significant point along the Canal du Midi, the 17th-century engineering marvel and UNESCO World Heritage Site that stretches from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. The Feria de Béziers, one of the largest and most vibrant festivals in southern France, draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each August and speaks to the city's passionate and festive spirit.