Anglais

Referred to as early as the 10th century, the church of Saint-Jacques is one of the oldest religious buildings in Béziers. Located outside the medieval walls but in a dominant position, it was the church of an important Abbey of the Order of Saint Augustine.

From the time of its construction, this Abbey enjoyed a certain reputation since Raymond II, Viscount of Béziers, chose to be buried there in 969.

The 12th century marked the golden age of the Abbey. One of its abbots was appointed bishop of Béziers, then archbishop of Narbonne. It was at this time that the original building was replaced by the Romanesque church with a single nave that we see today, with its magnificent five-sided apse.

The Abbey was destroyed during the Revolution. Only the church was preserved, but it was transformed into a bayonet workshop.

In the 19th century, two bays were added to the nave, as well as the neo-Romanesque porch at the entrance. The stained-glass windows date from the late 20th century.

By walking around the garden, which has been laid out instead of the old cloister, you can admire the remarkable Romanesque apse and enjoy a magnificent panorama of the Orb plain and the Saint-Nazaire cathedral.