Montpellier (France)

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.