Béziers Mayor Robert Ménard has officially unveiled the ambitious Béziers Antique project, which aims to recreate the city as it was in Roman times, around 30 AD.
“We will rebuild Béziers as it was 30 years after the birth of Christ,” the mayor said in an interview with Ici Hérault. The project is expected to last three decades and will use exclusively Roman construction techniques.
According to Ménard, although there are almost no visible traces of the ancient heritage left today, “there are still traces in the city.” The project will be implemented in stages, with the construction sites opening to the public.
The first phase (2025-2030) will include the construction of an amphitheater, workshops and educational spaces. The second (2031-2040) will expand the area with immersive cultural facilities and historical reconstructions. The final stage (2041-2055) will see the project reach full maturity with international events.
To implement the plan, 35 specialists will be recruited, who will be trained in ancient professions, including stone processing, mosaic making and blacksmithing. The total budget will be 13 million euros, of which 3 million will be public funding. The project symbolizes an attempt to return the lost historical roots of the city, famous for winemaking and rugby.
