Welcome to my hometown! I was born there, I grew up there and then I left. And then I came back. And left again… Once you've been there, once you have tamed its people, you will always come back, for Montpellier is a wonderful city and has a lot to offer. Montpellier is the capital of Languedoc-Roussillon, one of the largest region of France, and almost touch the Mediterranean Sea. The old town center itself, with the Cathedral St Pierre (XIth Century), the Botanical Garden, the Jardin du Peyrou (made for Louis XIV), the Ancien Courrier Quarter... you will find History on every corners and since the old town is not very big, it is all fairly
short 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. For this place was, 30 years ago, only a little 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 The fountain is still in place today (but the sculpture has been replaced by a copy few years ago and the original is on display at Musee Fabre not so far from the Place) and a Carrara marble line circles it in… egg shape of course! The Place de la Comedie, once know as Place de L'Oeuf expended dramatically in the past 30 years and you will find countless of restaurants, pizzerias and cafés all with their terraces. You will also find a cinema Gaumont in a beautiful XIX th Century building once own by the famous French Galleries Lafayette! And sitting right in front you will admire the exquisite Opera Comedie that gave the Place its actual name, built in 1884 by an architect close to Charles Garnier (who made the famous Opera Garnier in Paris) and you will find a great influence in its design! The Palce comprises now of various places of interest all connected L'Esplanade Charles de Gaulle, once a car park, is now a huge green space, a real green lung in the town centre with fountains and promenades. There is also a space for children to play. On the side you will find the Musee Fabre, and right at the end the Corum, a huge conference centre build in the 90's. The Place became few years ago the main station for the tramway and in this sense I think it spoils the once 100% pedestrian place.
Montpellier was a huge trading place made famous for its university and was the place to be to study medicine back in the 17th Century. And guess what? It is still the place to be to study even today! In 30 years, the town grew twice as big as it was before. The warm weather attracts all students from all over France and made Montpellier a very young town indeed! As I said the town grew very quickly, taking all hamlets and villages around under its wing. You will need more than a few days to visit this town. Transports are all very good and consist of buses and tramways, they are relatively cheap too and most of the road signs are translated in english, dutch and spanish. And in only 15 minutes by car, a bit more by bus, you arrive at La Grande Motte with the sea and its sand dunes, but beware it is absolutely packed in summer! In winter, you can go skiing at Mont Aigoual, only 1.30 Hour drive from Montpellier. And after visiting all around (and you will need some time!!!) if you are still hungry for some adventures, why not head to Barcelona? With the Highway, it is only a bit more than 2 hours away!!
The best time to visit Montpellier is in May-June, Sept-Oct. Try to avoid the summer as it tends to be overcrowded with tourist and it can be really hot (100 F is very common) and you can still enjoy a splash in the sea in September (I remember going to the beach until Mid October when I was young!) Bon voyage!
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