The history of what is present Béziers dates back to the 7th century BC. The population of this time had numerous contact with traders from the Mediterranean regions : Phocens, Phoenicians, & Greeks. In the year 121 AD, Béziers was a Roman city which developed the cultivation of vine, olives and wheat. In the 8th century she was faced with the Arabe conquest. Bit by bit, the city which used to be an enclosed area, an area closed in by a wall, opened on to an urban zone and developped small towns. As of the Middle-Ages, there began a tendency toward
freer communities; a spirit of tolerance associated with the opposition to a central government.The agricultural economy was strengthened by commercial and artisanal activities.

The most terrible event in the history of Béziers occurs on July 22 1209. On this day,a great number of the population is killed (women, children and the old) by the crusaders fighting catharism.

This event marked the the beginning of the implimentation of Royalty in the region Languedoc. The city will take a while to recover from these events. She will recover over the centuries, fluctuating between periods of prosperity and distress due to the peste, and to riots directed against high taxes. As of the 17th century, the economy and commerce benefit from the construction of the Canal du Midi owed to Pierre-Paul Riquet.

At the time of the Revolution, a new class , the bourgeoisie, gains municipal power while the Clergy loses their influence. On the administrative plan, it is Montpellier, which from now on, occupies the first place in the region.

From the Empire to the Republic, the city marked its republican spirit, hostile to the return of priviledges to a selected group.

In the 19th century, the city takes on its look of today,(demolition of surrounding walls in1827, trace or a promenade,opening of main road of "Hausmanian" inspiration). It is also in the 19th century that the railway was built. During this century, the population quadrupled by the arrival of immigrants who participated in the industrial development.

Today Béziers is a city with about 72,000 inhabitants, a large part of which work in the service sector.