Ancient and Medieval Roots

Gallo-Roman Era:

Archaeological digs in the rues Basses district uncovered 4th-century Roman coins, suggesting a villa or settlement existed here.

First Mention:

The town’s name appears in 12th-century records, linked to the now-vanished Saint-Nazaire de Lodéran chapel (cited in 1153).

Industrial Boom (17th–19th Centuries)

Textile Powerhouse:

By the late 17th century, Bédarieux thrived as a cloth-weaving hub under royal privilege, employing 5,000 workers by 1789. Wool and cotton spinning added another 1,000 jobs

In 1742, Bédarieux constructed the Promenade de la Perspective—a sturdy dyke to protect the town from Orb River floods. But locals didn’t stop at practicality; they lined it with 200-year-old plane trees.

The "Disappearing" Chapel: The medieval Saint-Nazaire de Lodéran chapel (first mentioned in 1153) vanished without a trace. Historians suspect it’s either buried under modern buildings or—as locals joke—"stolen by time-traveling monks".

Bédarieux’s Agenda 21 sustainability program includes eco-friendly policies—but the town still celebrates its coal-mining past. It’s like a vegan who keeps a vintage bacon poster on their wall.

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