Bullfighting Museum

Here, we are going to turn right into Rue Saint-Jacques, but if you take the street to the far left of this small square and then continue into Rue Massol, you will arrive at the Béziers Bullfighting Museum. Bullfighting has been part of the local identity for more than a century, and the museum takes you to the heart of that story. Located in the former Dominican convent, it brings together matador costumes, vintage posters, portraits of bullfighters, emblematic objects and artworks that recount the great moments of the Béziers bullrings. It is an opportunity to understand how Béziers became one of the major bullfighting cities of the South. It all began in the nineteenth century, when the city, enriched by the wine trade, enjoyed an exceptional period of prosperity. With this new wealth, buildings rose, the city modernised and new entertainment venues were created. In 1897, the current bullring — then one of the largest in France — was inaugurated. Its capacity, its Neo-Moorish architecture and its location at the heart of a rapidly growing city immediately made it a major landmark in the South of France. From then on, Béziers captivated the greatest matadors of their time: Mazzantini, Gallito, Joselito, Domingo Ortega, Manolete, and later Luis Miguel Dominguín, Paco Camino, Nimeño II and even Sébastien Castella, a native of the city. Prestigious posters followed one after another, giving Béziers a strong reputation in the world of bullfighting. But what truly makes Béziers unique is the importance of the Feria, which began to take shape in the 1960s. Every August, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to attend the corridas, but also concerts, bodegas, events and festive traditions. This popular celebration, now one of the largest gatherings in the South of France, reinforces Béziers’ status as a key destination for bullfighting. The museum is only open during the summer months, but if your visit coincides with its opening, don’t hesitate to step inside: you’ll find even more details and unique pieces linked to the bullfighting history of Béziers.