Dandelions and other real or imaginary giant plants measuring 5 to 11 meters, XXL desk lamps, cinema cameras on the lawn and a sound and light show, this is what awaits the residents of Biterrois. The launch is scheduled for Saturday June 15 at 10:30 p.m., Place Jean-Jaurès. The installations will remain on site until September 22.
Lighting, nature and new technologies, this new edition of the summer decorations of the City of Béziers promises many surprises. The event organized since 2020 was launched under COVID because “many events had been canceled at that time“, remembers Marion Salvaire, deputy director of culture, commerce and sport at Béziers town hall. The equipment rented from the TILT company, for an undisclosed budget, is part of “an approach to respect the environment“. Clarifying “everything is LED light, low energy consumption.” This event, which is added to the winter light festivities, helps revitalize tourism in the city. “People come from far away and sometimes travel more than 200 km (Castres, Mazamet, etc.) to attend the festivities. Some even rent nights at the hotel especially for this occasion“, specifies Marion Salvaire.
1 Giant flowers and trees
Friday, June 7, at Place Jean-Jaurès, at the end of the afternoon, six semi-trailers arrived transporting equipment from the TILT company from Eurre, near Valence in the Drôme. The nature-themed structures feature giant metal and plastic flowers and trees. François Fouilhé, manager of TILT, remembers having worked two other times for the municipality, in 2020 (design of a large garden) and in 2022 (creation of large Walt Disney-style bushes).
2 Illuminated fountain and lasers
Saturday June 15 at 10:30 p.m., the event will be inaugurated at Place Jean-Jaurès. The installations will be in place until September 22. A special show is planned for 10:45 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. On this occasion, the fountain will be illuminated with a musical background and lasers will light up the sky.
3 Sound and light show
From 1er July, every evening at 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. A sound and light show entitled “A dream of freedom” will be projected on the Madeleine church, retracing the history of Béziers from Antiquity to the present day. The event will allow Biterrois and visitors to immerse themselves in the History of the City thanks to anecdotes linked to the former mayor of the commune Casimir Péret, the Duke of Montmorency, King Louis XIII, Napoleon, Jean Moulin and many others.
The History of Béziers brightens the city walls
Since Friday June 7, the walls of Béziers have been colored with vivid stories about the great men who shaped the history of the city. Two signs are posted on rue du 4 September on the Duc de Montmorency and the free Languedoc. Others are coming, all over the city, on the Cathars, the exploits of rugby players, and the golden age of wine. “We used images on X and Instagram to attract the attention of younger generations“, explains David Carrette, director of communications at Béziers town hall and the Agglomeration. Conclusively “Ultimately, we will probably create a map allowing tourists to take a route around these panels..”
