This Penzenas History guide will give you an overview of the events and people who shaped this city and how it evolved throughout the years.

Origins

The Val d'Herault territory has been inhabited by humans since the Protohistoric era. After the Roman conquest, the town became more structured. Inhabitants began cultivating vines and making wine.

10th Century

The 10th century was an era of economic growth and several new villages were settled in the area. These Medieval villages were usually built around a church or castle and were fortified. Several wheat mills were built on the river's shore. In the village, the pond was dried up and several farms and Commanderies were built. As the area grew, two cities were born and became independent: Pezenas and Montagnac. These two cities hosted 5 annual fairs and brought riches to the country until the end of the 15th century.

16th Century

At the beginning of the 16th century, the Languedoc Governors took residence in Pezenas. With this move, they brought the Etats du Languedoc, which voted on the taxes for the King and which governed the province. The city became the capital of Languedoc and remained so for more than 100 years.

17th Century

In 1632, the Edit des Elus removed the fiscal privileges of the province, leading to a short-lived rebellion led by Henri II de Montmorency. The governor was injured and taken prisoner, and was decapitated several days later. Twenty years later, the turmoil finally ceased, and Armand de Bourbon, prince de Conti, took residence in town and later became the Languedoc Governor. He also was known to have become the protector of Moliere, a famous author.

19th Century

The 19th century witnessed a major change in the region's agriculture: the vines progressively replaced the other crops and became the main income source for several families. With the creation of the Sete-Bordeaux railroad line, wine could then be exported throughout the world. Jobs related to keg making, agricultural tools and wine-making tools were aplenty and the old wine houses were given the name chateau.

20th and 21st Centuries

The beginning of the 20th century was marked by a wine crisis with poor crops and difficult sales. As the town started recovering, World War I began and put a stop to the region's economic growth and expansion. After the war, the wine economy was restructured and almost each town and village was building communal wine cellars. In 1965, a national preservation program was started in Pezenas to protect the older parts of the town and its surrounding villages. Public and private historic monuments and buildings have been restored to their original glory.