Beziers is close to the coast and the beach. Inland lie the mountains and lakes of the 'Haute Languedoc Regional Park' to the north and the wild Corbières to the south, both wonderful for exploring and walking. Beziers has an excellent Golf Course and for those who are looking for an active holiday there is river canoeing, fishing, and wind-surfing on salt-water lakes. Throughout the year, there are concerts and theatrical events taking place in and around Beziers. Beziers, situated on the edge of the river Orb, has a wine history that dates from Greek and Roman times, when it was an important halt on the Roman road 'La voie Domitienne' linking Italy to Spain. During the Middle Ages the town was besieged by the Cathar crusaders where Simon de Montfort declared "Kill them all, God will recognise his own". Throughout the XVII and XVIII centuries Beziers prospered from the wine trade. The arena 'arenes' (now known for the 'Feria' - bullfights) is also from this period, designed initially as an Opera house with the help of Saint Saens.