Bize-Minervois is a commune in the Aude department in southern France.
Geography
Located on the edge of the Haut-Minervois in the Cesse valley, Bize lies between the fertile sedimentary plain of Narbonne and the causses of the Minervois and the Montagne Noire. Bize is situated approximately 3 km north of the D5 between Olonzac and Capestang. Bize is a small village with a population approximately 1,200 where 19% of the houses are second homes.[3]
History
Bize is first mentioned in 911 in the will of man named Walcharius who left the lands of the parish of Saint-Saturnin of Bizan to the Archbishop of Narbonne. During the religious wars of the 16th century Bize changed hands many times and in 1573 was fortified as a protestant stronghold against the catholic Bishops of Narbonne.
Population
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
1968 | 1,001 | — |
1975 | 921 | −1.18% |
1982 | 783 | −2.29% |
1990 | 807 | +0.38% |
1999 | 872 | +0.86% |
2009 | 1,072 | +2.09% |
2014 | 1,110 | +0.70% |
2020 | 1,243 | +1.90% |
Source: INSEE[4] |
Sights
- Caves Las Fonts (Moulin) - Paleolithic caves, now a classified monument where prehistoric remains were discovered in 1827 by French archaeologist and scientist Paul Tournal, founder of the Narbonne Museum.[5]
- La Porte Saint Michel 1236 - the main gate in to the village coming from the direction of Narbonne. A second gate, La Porte St Croix - the entrance from the direction Argeliers, Minerve and Saint-Pons - was demolished in the 19th century to allow easier passage for carts.
- The church of Saint-Michel (18th century)
Events
- 'Fete d l'olivier' - Festival of Olives is held annually in July[6]
- General market every Wednesday morning throughout the year
Amenities
Bize has two bakers, two general stores, a post office, hairdressers, a pharmacy, and a wine cave. There is also a bar and several restaurants. Sporting facilities include a boulodrome, football pitches (home of Bize FC), tennis courts and in the summer the Cesse is dammed to create a freshwater swimming hole.
See also
References
- ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 2 December 2020.
- ^ "Populations de référence 2022" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 19 December 2024.
- ^ Logement en 2020, INSEE
- ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
- ^ Magazine of Natural History on Google Books
- ^ Le Minervois : historic region in the Languedoc Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
External links