Montpellier

Montpellier, capital of Languedoc-Roussillon and around 4 miles from the sea, is at the halfway point between Spain and Italy. It’s an ideal stopover for summer holidays or a short stay.

Hérault, Languedoc-Roussillon, South of France

Montpellier - Towns South France

Montpellier has excellent road, rail and air links. It's served by two motorways (A9 via Lyon or Toulouse, A75 via Clermont-Ferrand and the Millau viaduct) ; there are several daily services, either by TGV, which gets you from Paris to Montpellier in three and a quarter hours, or by flight, which is one hour ten minutes from Paris.

Located in the heart of a region rich in history and boasting many UNESCO World Heritage sites, Montpellier is a pleasure to explore. A town with an old university tradition, Montpellier is these days a meeting place for cultural, scientific and artistic exchanges. The town has conserved much of its past, with narrow mediaeval streets, grand private houses, the Place Royale (Royal Square)..., delights waiting to be discovered in the completely car-free city centre, ideal for wandering around and exploring.

La Place de la Comédie – Theatre Square
This is now the symbol of Montpellier’s dynamic character. With its Opera House, built in the 19th. century in the same style as the Garnier Opera in Paris, and the statue of the Three Graces, this square, also called The Egg, due to its shape, is the nerve centre of Montpellier. The terraces of the many cafes and restaurants make it a lively place where both students and local residents meet up throughout the day.

La Faculté de Médecine – The Faculty of Medicine
Montpellier has the oldest, still active, school of medicine in the western world (dates from 1220). Illustrious students such as François Rabelais studied here. The school of surgery was founded by two Montpellier doctors, Barthez et Lapeyronnie, whose statues adorn the entrance.

La Cathédrale Saint Pierre – Cathedral of Saint Pierre
Adjoining the faculty of Medicine, Saint Pierre’s Cathedral was built at the end of the 14th. century at the wish of Pope Urbain V. Its two monumental pillars which support the canopied porch, characteristic of the southern Gothic style, are very impressive.

La Promenade Royale – the Royal Walk
These French-style gardens were designed in the 18th. century around an immense statue of Louis XIV facing the majestic Arc de Triomphe (Triumphal Arch). An elegant water tower, collecting the waters of the Saint Clement Aquaduct, is called the Arceaux (Arches). This high point offers a wonderful panoramic view of the north of the town and the Cevennes mountains which seem to be within arm’s reach.

Le Jardin des Plantes – the Botanical Garden
Designated among the the most prestigious botanical gardens in the world, the Botanical Garden was created by Richer de Belleval in 1593 at the request of Henri IV. It is the oldest garden in France.

Antigone
This modern area of the town, built in the neo-classic style, revisited by the Catalan architect Ricardo Boffill, comprises living accommodation, offices and many businesses. Explore it on foot or by tram.

The "folies" of Montpellier
In the 18th century, a period of great prosperity, Montpellier hosted all the great administrative bodies (States of Languedoc, Court of the Accounts, Stock Exchange…). This allowed the nobility and gentry to build great town houses in Montpellier and what amounted to small chateaux in the surrounding areas: set in wooded gardens, these ‘follies’ vied with each other in refinement and architectural style. Usually rectangular in shape, the follies tended to be built along austere lines and embellished with carvings. From the house, gardens extended in terraces, adorned with statues and pools. The most original is the chateau de Flaugergues, but also worth seeing are the Mogère and Mosson chateaux. Successions of monumental fountains, aquaducts and gardens refresh the summer mornings.

Hotels in Montpellier

INFORMATION - Tourist Office - Tel: + 33 (0)4 67 60 60 60 Website