Anglais

Built at the end of the 1st century A.D. on Saint James’ hill, the amphitheatre occupied a dominant position which allowed it to be seen from a distance. 

Although few remains are present today, it is known that the track covered an area of about 1700 m2 (60m by 40 m).

17m high, it had two floors of arcades  

29 rows of tiered stone seating accommodated 13,700 spectators, divided according to social order: the richest at the bottom, the poorest at the top...

To move around, the public used the interior corridors that went around the arena (ambulacra), from where stairs led down to the stands.

In hot weather, a canvas (velum) was stretched over the stands to shelter spectators who came to watch gladiatorial performances or wild animal hunts.

From the Middle Ages onwards, the amphitheatre was used as a stone quarry and houses built on its remains. Note the curvature of the facades, which follow the oval shape of the monument.

The amphitheatre is the only Roman monument still visible in Béziers. The columns are 19th century and purely decorative!