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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.





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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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