Montpellier, France
The Languedoc Roussillon region’s largest city, Montpellier sits
near the southern coast and draws visitors with its blend of old city
vestiges and modern infrastructure. Montpellier is 10km inland from the
coast of the Mediterranean Sea towards the Spanish border. The
third-largest French city on the Mediterranean coast after Marseille
and Nice, Montpellier is an ideal destination for both short visits and
long stays. It lies around 60 km south of the national capital, Paris.
It’s also 16 km south of Saint-Jean-de-Cuculles. The town’s stately
Gothic Cathedrale Saint-Pierre, distinguished by conical towers,
dates to 1364. The city’s Antigone district is a chic, modern
development inspired by neoclassical motifs. Paintings from French and
European Old Masters hang at the Musee Fabre.
Montpellier is served by railway, including TGV highspeed trains.
Montpellier’s main railway station is Saint-Roch. It is serviced by a
TGV connection from Paris (3hr 15min), Lille (4hr 50min), and Lyon (1hr
40 min), Valence (1h 45 min), Nice (4 – 5hrs). It is also serviced by
the AVE service to Barcelona (3 hours). Most destinations in Southern
France are also easily accessible by rail from Montpellier.
Montpellier has a comprehensive public bus and trsm system. Many buses
leave from stops in front of the train station. Buses use the same
tickets as the tram; you can purchase tickets from the automatic
machines located at each tram stop, or you may purchase tickets from
the driver. Trams tend to be very pleasant way of travelling across the
city, they are clean and comfortable, offering a better view of the
city as a whole than traveling on buses. Trams arrive every 3-5min at
peak hours but less frequently at night, once every 15min.
Languedoc-Roussillon region, France
Languedoc-Roussillon is a picturesque region on the Mediterranean
Coast that runs at a slower pace than the adjacent Cote d’ÄôAzur.
Languedoc-Rousillon is one of France’Äôs best-kept secrets, and a
quieter alternative to the French Riviera. Quaint villages full of
friendly locals replace the glitz and glamor of its eastern neighbour.
There are plenty of historic towns with pretty buildings and castles
alongside the cosmopolitan city of Montpellier. Enjoy the relaxed local
feel, as you sip on a glass of locally produced wine in this
region’Äôs picturesque environs. It has a warm Mediterranean
climate, with hot summers and mild winters. The locals speak French,
although some also understand Catalan and Occitan.
Languedoc Roussillon boasts an average of 300 days of sunshine per
year, making it the perfect destination for a wine holiday. It is the
most productive wine region in the world with 1 in 10 bottles produced
in the 20th century coming from this region. It is also among the least
industrialised of the 26 regions of France, a fact made evident by the
vast areas of untouched land visible almost everywhere. Languedoc
Roussillon is divided into five sub-regions and is bordered by Spain to
the South which gives it a mix of Spanish culture intermingled with
French tradition. There are numerous Cathare castles to visit, some
completely restored and others in ruins, each with its own unique
history.
The region covers a large section of southwestern France, along the
Mediterranean Sea and the nation’Äôs border with Spain and Andorra.
Fly to the airports of Nimes or Montpellier and drive to the various
towns and villages.
July and August are high season: the beaches are packed and
Languedoc-Roussillon puts on a non-stop array of festivals and ferias.
April to June and September to October have cooler temperatures, fewer
crowds and lower prices, and are also the best times for walking.
Montpellier stays lively all year and could make a fun weekend break.
Plan and Book:
Montpellier: See and Do
Of particular interest in the old centre are La Place Royale du
Peyrou; Les Jardin des Plantes (Botanical Garden); La Cathedrale
Saint-Pierre, L’Ecole de Medecine, and Le Musee
d’Anatomie; L’Hˆ¥tel des Tresoriers de la Bourse; La Place
de la Comedie. A walk on the Esplanade is recommended on a day
when the weather is fine (it is most of the time). It is lined with
trees, benches, a couple of outdoor restaurants, and often the tents of
a market selling clothing and food and is a lovely place to spend the
afternoon. Keep to the well-lit part at night unless you wish to buy
drugs or be mugged or both (this has improved since a new police
station was opened close by recently). The police station is right next
to the tourist information building so all your tourism needs are
located right next to eachother.
Reconnect with your inner-child at Seaquarium and Lunapark de
Palavas. For more fun with the family, continue on to Au Pays des
Carrioles and Accrobranche OC Aventures. You can also spend some
quality time investigating the impressive marine life at Mare Nostrum
Aquarium and Theatre of the Sea. A multitude of animals hold court at
the Montpellier Zoo and Serre Amazonienne. The inhabitants at Ferme Zoo
and Les Petits Fermiers will also provide plenty of photo
opportunities, so make sure you bring your camera.
The Casino de la Grande Motte, Casino de Palavas and Sete Casino are
your best bets if you’re feeling lucky and want to play some cards.
When the weather is fine, pack some lunch and find a shady nook at one
of the picturesque urban parks, such as Cirque de Navacelles and Grotte
des Demoiselles. You’ll also find plenty of space to relax at Clamouse
Cave and Maison de la Nature.
Broaden your perspectives by visiting one of the area’s educational
cultural spaces. Meander through the hallways as you check out the
varied collections at the Fabre Museum and the Paul Valery Museum.
Another two worth considering are the Musee de Lodeve and Agropolis
Museum. To broaden your knowledge on the world’s greatest scientific
discoveries and innovations, stop in at Planetarium Galileo and Aniane
Astronomical Observatory. It’s bound to be a fun day of discovery for
the entire family.
Add to your knowledge of the artistic drive, and perhaps even find
something for the lounge room at one of the area’s various gallery
spaces. Start off your tour of this creative destination with a stop at
the International Museum of Arts Modestes and the Musee Atger. If you
can fit them in, La Panacee Contemporary Culture Centre and Pavillon
Populaire are also well worth a look. Alternatively, walk the peaceful
hallways and take in the prominent items and objects on display at the
Musee du Vieux Montpellier.
More tales from the days of yore await at Montpellier Cathedral and the
Peyrou Gate. Sometimes dramatic, sometimes romantic, Chateau de la
Mogere is an awesome architectural feat from medieval times. Experience
the region’s spiritual side and enjoy the serene atmosphere at Lodeve
Cathedral and Maguelone Cathedral. You may also like to go for a stroll
around Saint-Martin-de-Londres Church and St-Guilhem-le-Desert Abbey
Church.
Highlights
St Clement (Arceaux) Aqueduct
Built in the late 18th century, Saint Clement Aqueduct is a
beautiful piece of engineering by architect Henri Pitot. Thanks to this
structure, Montpellier can supply the numerous fountains scattered
around the city. The neighborhood surrounding part of the aqueduct, Les
Arceaux (the arches) draws its name from the double layer of arches
extending over 800m. One of its water’s destinastions is Peyrou Square
where you can enjoy a great view of the aqueduct from high up. The
Square, home to a statue of Louis XIV on horseback with a stunning Arc
de Tromphe across its entrance has some of the best views in the city.
Arc de Tromphe, Montpellier
Otherwise known as Porte du Peyrou, the Arc de Tromphe, Paris’ southern
triumphal arch cousin, is one of the city’Äôs most famous
landmarks. A monument dedicated to the glory of King Louis XIV of
France, the ’Äò’Sun King’, it was designed in 1690 by
Franˆßois d’ÄôOrbay, a French architect involved in some of
France’Äôs most iconic landmarks, notably Le Louvre and Versailles.
The build was finished in around 1693 and is situated at the eastern
end of the Jardins du Peyrou, on the foundations of the old city walls.
Opera Comedie (Opera House)
Opera Comedie is one of France’s leading opera houses iand a
Montpellier institution that hosts opera and classical music concerts
by world-renowned composers. Enjoy an evening of opera, ballet or
classical music at Opera Comedie, the late 19th-century
opera house on the Place de la Comedie. The beautiful theater
with its grand frontage is the principal venue of the Opera National de
Montpellier Languedoc-Roussillon, an opera company formed in 1755.
Opera Comedie stands on the southern side of the Place de
la Comedie. With such a central location the venue is easily
accessible by bus, tram, train and taxi. If you prefer to drive, leave
your car in the metered multi-story parking lot under the Place de la
Comedie. The main opera season is from November to May and there
are no performances of any kind in August. Every July, Radio France
hosts a music festival in the region, with a number of classical
concerts at the opera house.
Fabre Museum
The Fabre Museum is Montpellier’Äôs principal art museum and one
of the largest museums in France. More than 5,000 works are housed
here, including sculptures, paintings and drawings. The museum’Äôs
collection was started in 1825 when French artist Francois Xavier Fabre
donated his works to the city. Today, the collections cover numerous
periods and styles such as European painting from the 14th to mid-18th
century and Flemish and Dutch painting of the 17th century. The museum
is open daily, except for Mondays and some public holidays. There is an
admission fee with reduced prices for family tickets and discounts for
students. The Fabre Museum is next to the Notre Dame des Tables church
just off the Place de la Comedie. Take a bus or tram to the
plaza or park in its metered underground parking lot, then walk the
rest of the way.
Montpellier Cathedral
Behind the fortress-like facade of this medieval church is a
collection of biblical artworks and a striking-looking organ from the
18th century. Montpellier Cathedral is a large 14th-century Gothic
church in the center of the old city. With its towers, turrets and
ramparts, the building resembles a medieval fortress. Its full name is
Cathedrale Saint-Pierre de Montpellier and it became a cathedral
in 1536. The structure was heavily damaged in the Wars of Religion and
rebuilt in the 17th century. It is the only church in
Montpellier’Äôs historic area to have survived the war. Montpellier
Cathedral is open daily from morning until early evening, although it
closes for a couple of hours during lunchtime. Admission is free, but
donations are welcomed. Religious services are conducted here on most
days. Situated in the historic center of the city, the cathedral is
easy to reach by public transport. Among the nearby attractions to
visit while you are in the neighborhood are Peyrou Park, the Jardin des
Plantes de Montpellier and the Place de la Comedie.
Aquarium Mare Nostrum
Discover an underwater world of sharks, corals and thousands of
fishes at the Aquarium Mare Nostrum. Tour two floors that are filled
with large tanks containing nearly 400 fish species from all the
world’s oceans. See marine life swimming in re-creations of different
Mediterranean environments including an underwater cave. Go to the
Balcony of the Ocean, a large sloping window that creates the
impression that you are hovering over the water. Aquarium Mare Nostrum
is open every day except for Christmas. There is an entrance fee with
discounts for children, students and disabled and unemployed persons.
Located close to the center of Montpellier, the aquarium is served by
bus and tram routes. On-site parking is free for the first 2 hours.
Jardin des Plantes de Montpellier
The Jardin des Plantes de Montpellier is an area of stunning natural
beauty, covering 11 acres (4.5 hectares) near the center of the city.
The attractive park was founded in 1593 and is one of the oldest
botanical gardens in Europe. It encompasses more than 2,500 plants
species, ponds, an arboretum and landscaped areas. The site is owned by
University of Montpellier I and is also used for study and research.
The Jardin des Plantes de Montpellier is open every day except Mondays
and admission is free. To avoid large crowds, come during the week.
Guided tours in English can be arranged by written request at least 1
month before your intended visit. Situated approximately half a mile
(0.8 kilometers) northwest of the Place de la Comedie, the
garden is well served by public transport.
Esplanade de l’ÄôEurope
The Esplanade de l’ÄôEurope is a large plaza in
Montpellier’Äôs Antigone neighborhood. Its dominant feature is a
vast semi-circular neoclassical building that contains homes, shops and
restaurants. The esplanade and the surrounding district was created as
part of an urban regeneration project in the late 1970s by Catalan
architect Ricardo Bofill. A pleasant way to approach the plaza is by
taking a 20-minute walk east from the Place de la Comedie. The
route takes you along wide, leafy boulevards, past fountains and the
shops of the Place du Millenaire. If you do not want to walk to
the Esplanade de l’ÄôEurope, take a tram that stops close by. Leave
time in your day to explore the rest of the Antigone district. You will
come across numerous statues, plazas, parks and several buildings that
were also designed by Ricardo Bofill. They share similar designs and
include shops, apartment and office blocks, Montpellier’s Olympic
swimming pool and Place de Thessalie with its attractive fountain.
Beyond Montpellier
On the outskirts of the city, inspect the tiny village of
Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert, which is built into the valley of
mountains. Take a trip to the Pont du Gard, where a Roman aqueduct
crosses the Gardon River. Rent a car and drive west to the medieval
towns of Beziers and Carcassone. Stop off on the way at Lac du
Salagou and swim in the warm water. Capture photos of the extraordinary
red and orange hills. Continue southwest down the coast to reach the
stunning Chˆ¢teau de Queribus, a ruined castle that stands
at the top of a mountain. About 11 km farther inland, you will find
another mountaintop fortress, Peyrepertuse.
Domaine Mas de l’Oncle Winery
For many, there’s not many things more pleasurable than a full-bodied
wine. Discover the vineyards where they make the region’Äôs famous
wine. Book a day tour with one of the companies online in Carcassone or
Pezenas. Make sure to try the department’Äôs famous alcoholic
beverage of Pastis, which tastes a little like licorice. Experience
some of the region’s finest at the Domaine Guinand Winery or the
Domaine Mas de l’Oncle Winery. Ready for the next one? The Chateau des
Hospitaliers Winery and Chateau Bas should also be added to your
itinerary.
Castries aqueduct
Designed by Paul Riquet in 1666, Castries aqueduct, an imposing
structure, winds along the ground or through the air. With a height
difference of 3 metres over a length of 6,822 metres, it took water to
Castries chˆ¢teau park and gardens. The route passes very close to
the mysterious Capelette (small chapel) and crosses the Cadoule at
Tourilles bridge, before reaching the ruins of a Knights Templar
Commandery in Banniˆ®res.
Then explore Castries and its medieval heart, its ancient covered
markets, its Coste square sheltered by the remains of a Romanesque
church, the arches of its oil mill, its imposing church, and especially
the chˆ¢teau and its park and gardens, Languedoc’Äôs little
Versailles. Finally, after Colombier quarry, a listed site used for the
construction of monuments, the path leads to Mas de Fondespierre house.
Castres is 3 1/2 hrs by bus and train from Montpellier.
Le Pont du Gard
The ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard is perhaps the finest
example of Roman era engineering outside of Italy. It crosses the
Gardon River near the town of Vers-Pont-du-Gard in southern France. The
Pont du Gard is the highest of all elevated Roman aqueducts, and, along
with the Aqueduct of Segovia, one of the best preserved. It was added
to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 1985 because of its
historical importance. The aqueduct bridge is part of the NˆÆmes
aqueduct, a 50-kilometre system built in the first century AD to carry
water from a spring at Uzˆ®s to the Roman colony of Nemausus
(NˆÆmes). Pont du Gard is 78 km by road from Montpellier.
Pont du Diable
Pont du Diable and is a popular destination, even for those not that
into history. The Pont du Diable on the Herault River is one of many
bridges in France with this name (it means Devil’s bridge). It is
located over a steep-sided gorge, about 4 km north-west of Aniane (36
km from Montpellier). Constructed by Benedictine monks in the first
half of the 11th century, it provided a link between the abbey at
Aniane and the Gellone Abbey at Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert. Though
subsequently widened and raised several metres around 1770, it has
retained its original shape. Vehicular traffic is now catered for by a
newer bridge, from which splendid views may be had of the original
bridge and an aqueduct that takes water to the vineyards of
Saint-Jean-de-Fos.
Palavas-les-Flots
Nearby Beaches
The pick of the nearby beaches – Palavas-les-Flots, Carnon-Plage and
La Grande-Motte – are on the nearby Languedoc coast. Public transport
connections are available. Palavas-les-Flots is crossed by a canal, a
cable car allows going from a bank to the other. The
Mediterranee lighthouse, an ancient water tower, and its
promenade bridge offers a magnificent view of the coast, the lakes and
the Cevennes.
Located about ten kilometers from Montpellier, Carnon-Plage was once
considered the beach reserved for the elite of Montpellier. Todays its
attractions include a lively marina and filled with boats of all kinds.
La Grande-Motte is a popular seaside resort and port, built in the 1960s and 1970s. La Grande-Motte is characterized by homogeneous architecture; many of the prominent buildings are pyramidal in form. With 2 million tourists per year it is one of the favourite resorts of the French. Lined with beautiful beaches of fine sand, the resort also offers to holidaymakers numerous leisure and sports activities.
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