Brief history of the village of Bizanet

The origins of Bizanet go back a long way. Some of the plains and caves reveal traces of prehistoric life: pottery, flint, axes and other tools.

It is in the roman times rich in culture that the village is founded. Notable examples are ‘the Villa Biciano quae vocant Granoulerias’ and from 940 the local parish church St  Pierre aux Liens.

The Villa de Biciano des Granoulerias (990) used to stand in the grounds of the present day cemetery. The still well-preserved walls of the Chataeu d’Aral provide evidence of the time of construction and are the only reminders of the hard fought battles and destruction that took place.

Up until 1756 the Chapel of St Pierre aux Liens was still in service and had originally been a priory annexed in 1279 to the Chapter of St Just by the Archbishop of Narbonne.

The little village developed northwards to the site of  another roman villa. Mosaic gallo-roman remains were found on the higher ground of the village. The 13^th century gave us the Chateaux of Bizan d’Aval and d’Amont. Each was owned by one lord but later during the Middle Ages rights of ownership were passed to others.

In 1472 Betrand de Chambert and Francois de Ramejan took over the main Chateau and the Chateua d’Aval lost its importance. As a result of various marriages and inheritances, the family Chefdebien took possession of the Chateau of Bizanet which remained the family seat until after the Revolution along with domaines such as St. Amans and Bouquignan.

In the mid 18^th century the Commune of Bizanet built a church in the main village.

The census taken in 1857 showed a population of ‘ 722 souls and 196 houses ‘.

T he vines that cover our plains and hillsides have been intensively cultivated since the 18^th century. The harsh winter of 1709 destroyed the olive groves and the farmers took up viticulture with such fervour that only a decree from the King’s Counsel could stop them.