PÉZENAS

This medieval Languedoc town with a history of power and privilege charms

- Sandra Haurant

The Languedoc town of Pézenas may be only little, with around 8,000 inhabitants, but in historical interest it punches well above its weight. This was once the political capital of Languedoc, and it shows, both in the grandeur of the facades and the secrets that hide behind them.

The old town of Pézenas is a densely woven maze of narrows streets and alleyways, the perfect place to get lost on a sunny afternoon. With smart hôtels particuliers, cozy boutiques, artists’ workshops, and enticing café terraces, there is so much to see as you stroll. Remember to raise your eyes and enjoy the view above you, too; colorful shutters set against warm stone walls, intricate relief carvings decorating carefully preserved architecture and signs alerting you to the secret histories of the buildings you pass.

Lords of the manor