MONTPELLIER - vibrantly modern

 Montpellier - vibrantly modern historic city

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Montpellier is one of the larger cities in France and in recent years has developed a reputation for its vibrant culture, innovation and quality of life. With roots going back to the early Middle Ages, Montpellier is a cosmopolitan city with a rich history dating back over a thousand years.

Until 2016, Montpellier was the capital of the Languedoc region, which has now merged with neighbouring Midi-Pyrénees to form the large Occiatanie region. The city stands some ten miles inland from the Mediterranean coast, between the flat coastal strip and the dry garrigue behind.

Though close to the Roman route along the Mediterranean coast linking Italy and Spain, the Via Domitia, Montpellier did not develop as an important place until the Middle Ages, when it became a major staging point for pilgrims en route for Santiago de Compostella. It soon grew to become a major centre of trade and learning, with its university, founded in 1289 and renowned for its medical school, which is the oldest in the world..

Montpellier's prosperity continued into the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, when the city became a major center of intellectual and artistic life. In the 16th century,it was one of the main Protestant cities of France,  until the religious wars and persecution of the Huguenots led to a decline in the city's fortunes.

In the 18th and 19th centuries,Montpellier's fortunes revived, and the city was largely rebuilt in the styles of the age. The medieval city walls were demolished and grand boulevards, parks and promenades were built, many of them key features of the modern city. The famous Place de la Comédie (photo top of page), one of the largest pedestrianized squares in Europe, was built in the 18th century and remains the heart of the city's shopping and entertainment district.

Today, Montpellier has a thriving arts and cultural scene, and is one of the centres of the French high tech  industry.

Montpellier's vibrant cultural scene is matched by its lively nightlife. The city is known for its bars, clubs, and live music venues, many of which are centered around the Place de la Comédie. In the summer months, Montpellier hosts numerous outdoor events and concerts, attracting visitors from across France and beyond.

A selection of the best tourist sites in Montpellier

The Foch quarter, known for its 19th century neoclassical architecture, and the Saint-Roch district, with its picturesque medieval streets and quaint shops and restaurants.

The Musée Fabre, Montpellier's museum of fine arts houses a large collection of French and European painting and sculpture, including works by Cranach,  Goya,  David, Rubens, Delacroix and Courbet.  The city is also home to a number of smaller museums and galleries, as well as a thriving contemporary arts scene.

Promenade du Peyrou, At the end of the rue Foch, just beyond its Triumphal Arch, the classical water tower the Peyrou gardens offer views over the city.  The water tower is fed by water brought to the city along the historic aqueduct, which runs west from the gardens.

Cathédrale Saint Pierre - mostly rebuilt in the 17th century, after serious damage during the wars of religion.

Jardin des Plantes - France's oldest botanical gardens, founded in 1593. Entrance free.

Location and access to Montpellier

Montpellier is situated just inland from the Mediterranean coast, between Marseilles and Perpignan.

•  By air   Montpellier airport, though small,  is served by direct flights from a number of European airports. For flights from the UK see Fly to France. Other nearby airports easily accessible from Montpellier include Béziers, Nîmes and Marseille.
• By train  Montpellier can be reached by direct TGV (high speed train) from Paris, Lyon, Strasbourg, Lille, Barcelona and Madrid.   For timetables and online tickets - national or international -  see Trainline.com .
• By car  Montpellier is accessible by motorway from Paris, via Lyon and the A6 > A7 > A9 motorways, or from Clermont Ferrand via the A75 > A750, or from Spain and southwest France via the A9.

   

In the area of Montpellier

     Check out the guide to the  Languedoc area.

There are plenty of places to visit within easy reach of Montpellier. The most popular are the nearby coastal resorts of Palavas les Flots, la Grande Motte and Le Grau du Roi, three seaside resorts that grew up in the 1960s.
    Rather older is the medieval walled bastide city of Aigues Mortes, 25 km to the east of Montpellier, lying as the edge of the Camargue, one of the most important wetland areas in Europe.
   
    Inland from Montpellier, the Cévennes mountains contain one of France's historic National Parks, and their shady woodlands and wild valleys are much appreciated by hikers and ramblers.

    Further away, but easily accessible by car or by train, the Roman monuments of Nîmes - a full amphitheatre and the remarkably preserved Maison Carrée - are a UNESCO world heritage site. Just beyond Nimes stands the remarkably preserved Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard.
    About 35 km  southwest of Montpellier, and accessible by train or by car, Sète is an attractive small port, with marinas canals and beaches.