Bible Encyclopedias
Pezenas

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

Search for…

Enter query below:

or

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Prev Entry
Peyton Randolph

Next Entry
Pfalzburg

Resource Toolbox

Print Article

a town of southern France, in the department of Herault 33 m. W.S.W. of Montpellier on the southern railway. Pop. (1906), 6432. The commerce in cognac, spirits and wines is so important that the prices current for these at the weekly sales are registered throughout the wine marts of France and Europe. There is a handsome monument to Moliere, who lived at Pezenas several years and produced his first plays there in 1655 and 1656. A gateway (r5th century) and old mansion of the 15th and 16th centuries are of interest.

Pezenas (Piscennae) was founded by the Gauls. In the 10th century it became the capital of a countship subsequently held by important families including those of Montmorency, Conde and Conti. In the 17th century the town was on several occasions the meeting place of the estates of Languedoc.