I have just returned from spending a year in Montpellier as a student and can thoroughly recommend this city for both holidays and as a base for a year abroad.
I initially chose Montpellier for its location in the South of France and for the most part, the weather has not let me down this ... Read review
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Advantages: Cosmopolitan, student-orientated, public transport Disadvantages: parking in city centre,
...from spending a year in Montpellier as a student and can thoroughly recommend this city for both holidays and as a base for a year abroad.
I initially chose Montpellier for its location in the South of France and for the most part, the weather has not let me down this year, with temperatures still around 30 degrees in late September.
In term of the city itself, I would say it is ideally suited to the weekend traveller. ... ...using the public transport in Montpellier as this is exceptionnal. A tramway runs through the centre and is complimented by an extensive bus network which has proved more than adequate for my needs over the past year. A car would be a distinct disadvantage in the centre due to the chronic lack of parking.
Most of the culutre is located in the historic centre, known as Eccusson (Shield-shaped). Here you can find narrow streets with ... more
I have just returned from spending a year in Montpellier as a student and can thoroughly recommend this city for both holidays and as a base for a year abroad.
I initially chose Montpellier for its location in the South of France and for the most part, the weather has not let me down this year, with temperatures still around 30 degrees in late September.
In term of the city itself, I would say it is ideally suited to the weekend traveller. The airport is conveniently located about 10 minutes South-East of the city centre and there are year-round bargain flights to be purchased from Ryanair.
In fact, I would recommend ariving by aeroplane and using the public transport in Montpellier as this is exceptionnal. A tramway runs through the centre and is complimented by an extensive bus network which has proved more than adequate for my needs over the past year. A car would be a distinct disadvantage in the centre due to the chronic lack of parking.
Most of the culutre is located in the historic centre, known as Eccusson (Shield-shaped). Here you can find narrow streets with many boutique-style shops and also the Medecine and Law faculties.
The Place de la Comedie is one of the largest pedestrianised squares in Europe and it forms the heart of the city, which, lined with many cafés and bars, makes an ideal spot for people watching in the afternoon.
SHOPPING: There are many shops to cater for all tastes, located in both the historic centre and also in Polygone, the shopping centre located between Place de la Comedie and Antigone (see below). Generally, High street brands like Zara and Gap can be found in Polygone, whilst designer boutiques such as Hermés, Cartier and Hugo Boss can be found in the Old quarter.
NIGHTLIFE: This is quite spread out in Montpellier with most nightclubs being located about 10 minutes from the centre on the beach roads. However, there is a thriving bar culture in the centre, the best being Café Joseph in the Place Jean Jaurés, Fizz, the only city centre nightclub and O'Carolans at Place Ste. Anne. Further afield, Ayers Rock is located by the river, in Antigone, a striking new development which stretches from the Polygone centre, all the way down the the Lez river. The architecture and the series of pedestrianised areas complete with fountains are a must -see for any trip here.
To conclude, Montpellier is a fantastic city, being compact enough for a weekend visit, ideally located for a base from which the Languedoc region can be explored, and diverse enough to satisfy most students looking for a fun year out. I would recommend it to anyone.
Advantages: Good weather, compact city, picturesque Disadvantages: same as any large city, expense, parking etc...
Montpellier is a great city - I spent a year studying there and loved it. It's a picturesque city with a pedestrianised centre. There is an average size shopping centre, a canary wharf equivalent called Antigone, loads of cinemas, and an opera house all in easy reach of the centre.
Attractions include lots of side streets with little shops and outside of the town, an olympic size swimming pool. There is bowling nearby and karting near the airport. ... ...and weightlifting.
There are several concert venues. Bands who have played here include the Rolling Stones, Iron Maiden, Bjork and the Cranberries. Sting and The presidents of the USA played in Marseille, an hour or two away.
Avoid Peyrou (the park by the arc de triomphe)and the station after dark.(unless you are after drugs, a rent boy or a prostitute)
Bars:
Place Jean Jaures, between the prefecture and place de la Comedie.
Petit Negresco Les ...
JamesRichardson 07.12.2000 (06.12.2000)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Montpellier (France)
Value for Money
Sightseeing
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around
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While on holiday we visited Montpellier Le Vieux (Montpellier the old man)
This natural park is in the area called Aveyron in the south of France about 12k from Millau along the d110.
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This is a natural site known for its rock formations its fauna and flora. It is a spectacular sight of grey coloured black causse rock that has been shaped by the wind, the rain and time to make the most amazing shapes. The whole of this area of France is very rocky. This small spectacular, site Montpellier le vieux was discovered and developed in the late 1800?s early 1900?s into the site we found.
We found this site by following a map we had it was not really very easy to find there were few signs along the road and we did find one leading to a narrow road which went quite a long way before we reached parking for Montpellier le vieux.
There ...
Advantages: A huge new range of destinations. Very cheap if you plan carefully. Disadvantages: Can be surprisingly expensive
two people sitting next to each other are likely to have paid the same price.
Our last trip to France (Montpellier) cost a total of £114 for the two of us, which was fantastic value for a bank-holiday weekend. The return legs actually cost £8.99 (plus tax). Cheaper than a theatre ticket. But we planned in advance and when friends wanted to join us at the last minute the same flights would have cost a thumping great £200 each. Needless to say, they deferred.
In fact, it is always worth checking with scheduled airlines for special deals. I flew to Madrid on BA for considerably less than it would have cost on easyJet.
Check out the prices for yourself at:
Easyjet: http://www.easyjet.com/en/
Ryanair: http://www.ryanair.com/
Buzz: http://www.buzzaway.com/
Go: http://www.go-fly.com/
Bmibaby: http://www.bmibaby.com/ ...
SuzanneW 22.06.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ryanair - RYR
Advantages: Customer service Disadvantages: Almost none
Air France is the biggest and best-known French airline in the world. Owning many different aircraft including the Concorde, they offer a multitude of destinations from their main Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG) base, as well as other airports in France.
The British airports served by this airline are Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, London (City, Gatwick, Heathrow), Manchester, Newcastle and Southampton.
My main experiences of Air France have been on the Paris-Montpellier Méditerranée route, flight AF7682, which I will look at in detail now. With three or sometimes four flights daily to the southern coastal city of Montpellier, once on board you are glad you are not on the TGV. I find the journeys smooth and relaxing, due to some expert flying from the cockpit crew.
Comfort
******
Although I have only travelled in ...
magicloudz 08.04.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Air France - AFR
