Béziers – day 10

Today we traveled from Minerve to Béziers via Aigne, Bize Minervois, Capestang and Oppidum d’Enserune, about 63 kms.  It was a windy day but mostly on our backs so it helped us. 
Aigne is a little village with a circulade,  an ancient inner circular walled dwelling area.  There were several artisan shops and a cathedral of course there but not much else. 
Next stop Bize for our morning cafe au lait.  Not much there either just the usual French shops, churches, parks, people, etc. 
Capestang is where we stopped for lunch and had a look in the local church.  We were trying to climb the bell tower but it appeared to be closed due to safety issues. 
At this point we tried to reconnect with the canal du Midi but couldn’t find it.  We next stopped at Oppidum, a national monument where ancient ruins from the 4th century BC have been found and excavated.  There was an outdoor area with ruins of the village
and a museum full of artifacts found during excavation.  Of course this was on top of a hill, as are most places, which you notice more when cycling.  But it was interesting none the less.  
Then we again tried to ride along the canal.  We found it but it was not paved and there were many potholes and roots to slow us down.  We found a road then but it was busy and it was rush hour so the last few kms. into Béziers was a bit harried.  But thanks to modern technology we found our way to the hotel des poètes, a nice quiet spot by a park.
We got cleaned up and went to find supper.  We are in a little place that cooked over an open fire pit with vine wood.  It was quite good and it was warm inside as the evening was cool.

The man who created the canal du midi, claimed to be a native of Béziers.

The cathedral in Béziers can be seen for miles due to it's hilltop location.

A view of the Etang de Montady, a natural depression turned into fertile field by use of drainage scheme from the 13th century.

No one is allergic to chocolate around here.

The small village of Aigne is a circulade, built in concentric circles. Here is Tara on the inner ring.