Montpellier > Montpellier Attractions

Advantages: 2000 parking spaces 120 shops
Disadvantages: Too overcrowded at weekends

Le Polygone is a huge 3 storeys shopping centre set in the heart of Montpellier, next to La Place de La Comedie (see my previous review for the Place). It hosts more than 120 shops but the biggest of them all is without a doubt the giant and famous Galerie Lafayette where you will find all your favourites designer outfits The Galerie Lafayette are actually located at the end of the shopping centre and spread over its 3 storey.) The list of shops ...
...am not listing all of them. But you will find everything from furniture (Habitat) to DVD's and books (Fnac). And, as you would expect from a huge shopping centre, you will find numerous clothing shops for men and women, shoe shops, bakeries and cafes, restaurants… The place is very lively and clean (check those sparkling toilet) and boots of daylight thanks to some refurbishments that took place few years ago in order to commemorate the shop's 30th ... Read review

Advantages: one of the biggest place in Europe, and 99% pedestrian!
Disadvantages: none but could be cleaner I guess!

...walking distance. La Place de la Comedie (name given by the beautiful theatre sitting in front) is Montpellier's vital organ. You cannot miss it. It is set south east from the medieval quarters listed above. The first place dates back from 1755. It is huge and once described as the largest place in Europe. But then Montpellier used to have a very megalomaniac mayor ! The history of the Place de la Comedie is in itself a living proof and a legacy. ...
...egg shaped roundabout named Place de L'Oeuf (the Egg's Place) where cars would drive around. What made this egg shape place so special was a very famous sculpture by Etienne Antoine in 1773, the 3 Graces (all daughters of Greek god Zeus) sitting on the top of a fountain. The fountain is still in place today (but the sculpture has been replaced by a copy few years ago and the original is on display at Musee Fabre not so far from the Place) and a ... Read review

Advantages: It is FREE!!!!
Disadvantages: none. But you have to like plants and trees!

In 1593, Henri IV, very much interested in curing diseases by plants, asked Pierre Richer de Belleval, an anatomy and botanical teacher, to create a Royal Garden inspired by famous Italian "medical garden". The Botanical Garden of Montpellier later became the model for the famous Botanical Garden in Paris built later in 1635. Used only to gather all plants with a medicinal power, the Royal Botanical Garden was an incredible tools for all students ...
...is just a stone away) but the Garden quickly became more than that and turned into a powerful tool for all botanical studies, which was unique and never done before in France. In the XVII century, the Garden became a Scientific Garden, housing plants from all over the world. You will have to understand that it was really new at the time, and the Garden complete new approach in housing plant and trying to create different climates to accommodate ... Read review