Béziers
[key], city, Hérault dept., S France, in Languedoc. A
communications and industrial center with an important trade in wines and
liqueurs, it has ironworks, breweries, and factories making a great variety
of products. An episcopal see from the 4th cent. to 1802, Béziers was
involved in numerous religious wars. During the Albigensian crusade (see
under Albigenses) it
was taken (1209) by Simon de Montfort; a horrible massacre followed.
Béziers has a noted cathedral (13th–14th cent.) and some old
churches.
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