Place de la Comedie, Montpellier

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 The fountain is still in place today (but the sculpture has been replaced by a copy few years ago and the original is on display at Musee Fabre not so far from the Place) and a ...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!

..., it is very old but very charming and still working!), an English Garden, a giant pound for Lotus… the Botanical Garden more than double its superficies. It has now 4.6 ha and 3450 differents species of plants and trees! It really worth having a look, it is a very peaceful place in the heart of historical Montpellier and the best time of the month to visit is May or June. Not a lot of tourist know this place because it is far from all shops and café (they are not that far however, everything is at walking distance and I would say the Garden is about 20 minutes walks from Place de La Comedie) but when you visit the medieval quarters of Montpellier, I hope you will think about this place too! And why not bringing a little picnic with you? The Cathedral St Pierre is just 5 minutes away as well as the University of Medicine, both a must see!... Read review

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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 is endless and ever changing so I apologise if I 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... Read review

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Advantages: Centrally located, friendly, English spoken.
Disadvantages: Subject to city centre noise. Not wheelchair friendly.

...The first time my partner and I arrived at this hotel, from the outside, it was not quite what we expected of a Holiday Inn. It is tucked away in a fairly narrow street in the centre of the city. It's claim to be in the city centre is genuine, less than a 5 minute walk to the Place de la Comedie. The fact that we have stayed there again on our 3 subsequent visits to the wonderful city of Montpellier must be evidence of our affection for this hotel. However, if you prefer the anonymous glass and concrete cubes of the ultra modern hotel, this is NOT for you, this hotel has ATMOSPHERE. Before becoming a Holiday Inn, it was the 'Hotel Metropole' and there are many relics of this past (the letters HM etched into the glass of the entrance doors to name just one). The rooms, which are fairly spacious compared with most 3 star, city centre... Read review

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