| BIZE-MINERVOIS |
|---|
| Region : | Languedoc-Roussillon |
| Department : | Aude |  |
| Community : | Canal-du-Midi-en-Minervois |
| Canton : | Ginestas |
| Population : | 872 |
| Extent : | 2080 ha. : altitude 65 m |
| Postcode : | 11120 |
| Mairie email : | |
| Mairie website : | |
| Mairie Tel / Fax : | Tel : 0468 461029 | Fax : 0468 462340 |
| Location : | Bize is at the eastern end of the Minervois about 3 km north of the D5 from Olonzac to Capestang. Bize is in the wine terroir of 'les Serres'.
Check the map. |
| Comments : | Bize is a good place to swim in the summer. The town has prepared a swimming hole in the river Cesse right in the middle of the village. |
| Annual events : | - fete : 11th November
- 'fete de l'olivier' - July (20 July, 2003)
- market : Wednesdays
|
| Associations : | |
| Shops and services : | - butchers :
- carpenter :
- cinema :
- garage : 2
- general food store :
- hairdresser : mixed
- pharmacy :
- Post Office :
- public library :
- restaurants : several
|
| Economy : | Olive production with Olive Cooperative at the hamlet of Cabezac, sawmill, viticulture : AOC Minervois red, white rosé ; several producers bottle their own wines :
- Chateau Belvize
- Chateau Cabezac
- Domaine Meyzonnier
other economic activity :
|
| Sites of interest : | in the village - the swimming hole : in the river, centre of the village, also shallow area for little ones
- ancient gate of 'St Michel' : XIII century modified in 1826 by addition of outer gate. The portcullis slot can be seen in the old part of the gate
- Coat of Arms of Bizan : set in the floor at St Michel's gate
in the surrounding area :
- Dolmen : Dolmen de la Pierre des Couteaux at La Roueyre
- Dolmen du Roc Gris :
- Cave Grotte des Moulins : or Grotte de Bize (classified monument historique) : paleolithic remains have been found including fossil human skeleton
- traces of gallo-roman villas :
- ruins of the tower of Boussecos : about 2km north of Bize, site of discovery of bronze age objects
- Oppidum le Cayla :
- excursion to Narbonne : by the little train (summer season only)
- many beautiful walks
|
| History : | The area around Bize has been inhabited since the earliest times. Prehistoric and gallo-roman remains have been identified. Bize was a seignory under the Archbishop of Narbonne in the XI century. The Coat of Arms of Cardinal de Bonzi, Archbishop of Narbonne from 1673-1703, are displayed under the St Michel gate. Bize suffered during the wars of religion in the XVI century. |
