Bize-Minervois

French commune
nomcommune=Bize-Minervois
région=Languedoc-Roussillon
département=Aude
arrondissement=Narbonne
canton=Ginestas
insee=11041
cp=11120
maire=Alain Fabre
mandat=2001-2008
intercomm=Canal du Midi en Minervois
longitude=2.871
latitude=43.31861
alt mini=34
alt maxi=323 m
hectares=2080
km²=20.80
sans=1022
date-sans=2004
dens=42
date-dens=2004

Bize-Minervois is a commune in the Aude department in southern France.

Geography

Located on the edge of the Haut-Minervois in the Cesse valley, Bize lies between the fetile sedimentary plain of Narbonne and the causses of the Minervois and the Montagne Noire. Bize is situated approximately 3km north of the D5 between Olonzac and Capestang. Bize is a small village with a population approximately 1,000 where a quarter of the houses are second homes.

History

Bize is first mentioned in 911 in the will of man named Walcharius who left the lands of the parish of Saint-Saturnin of Bizan to the Archbishop of Narbonne. During the religious wars of the 16th century Bize changed hands many times and in 1573 was fortified as a protestant stronghold against the catholic Bishops of Narbonne.

Notable sites and buildings

*Caves Las Fonts (Moulin) - Paleolithic caves, now a classified monument where prehistoric remains were discovered in 1827 by French archaeologist and scientist Paul Tournal, founder of the Narbonne Museum. [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=MFVIAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA412&lpg=PA412&dq=bize+cave&source=web&ots=Bl_y-9go7g&sig=k9HK3inflSmVBrj_iwW14QZfWjQ#PPA412,M1 Magazine of Natural History on Google Books] ]
*La Porte Saint Michel 1236 - the main gate in to the village coming from the direction of Narbonne. A second gate, La Porte St Croix - the entrance from the direction Argeliers, Minerve and Saint-Pons - was demolished in the 19th century to allow easier passage for carts.
*The church of Saint-Michel (18th century)

Events

* 'Fete d l'olivier' - Festival of Olives is held annually in July [ [http://www.le-minervois.com/territory/t-communes.php?sname=Bize-Minervois Le Minervois : historic region in the Languedoc ] ]
* General market every Wednesday morning throughout the year

Amenities

Bize has a butcher, baker, two general stores, post office, hairdressers, newsagents, sweet shop and a wine cave. There is also a bar and several restaurants. Sporting facilities include a boulodrome, football pitches (home of Bize FC), tennis courts and in the summer the Cesse is dammed to create a freshwater swimming hole.

References

External links

* [http://www.bize-minervois.fr The official website of Bize-Minervois ]