Béziers rewards unhurried walking. The old town clusters around the Cathedral of Saint-Nazaire, whose fortified bulk dates from the 13th and 14th centuries and dominates the skyline for miles. The allées Paul Riquet, a wide tree-lined boulevard named after the Canal du Midi's engineer, is the spine of daily life — markets, cafes, and the Saturday morning crowds. The city also has a strong rugby identity: AS Béziers won the French championship fourteen times between 1961 and 1984, and the stadium still draws passionate local support.