In Montpellier, there are no well-organized
arrondissements as in Paris. While municipal publications divide the city into "cantons", few of its inhabitants are aware of the boundaries of these administrative regions, preferring to orientate themselves by certain well-known
quartiers or landmarks. For an overview, it is best to follow Montpellier's own growth and development over the centuries, from the medieval walled city out west to the outlying suburb of the Paillade and south-east to the modern projects that stretch towards the Mediterranean.
The Historic Walled City
The vibrant historic center of the city, referred to as the
Ecusson, encapsulates the varied aspects of this diverse city. A pedestrian paradise and a car-owners nightmare, the labyrinth of lanes is a rich storehouse of historic architecture, churches and hidden courtyards as well as diverse shops, bars and restaurants. Of the city walls, the
Tour des Pins and the
Tour de la Babotte are the sole survivors of twenty-five...
Montpellier has a long standing tradition of staging impressive artistic and cultural events throughout the year. It is therefore not so surprising that the city should be the host of one of Europe’s premier dance events. If you are ready to tap your feet to the beat, time your trip to Montpellier in June, when the annual Montpellier Dance Festival will be in full swing. Since its creation, the 16 day festival has been an event that unites a startling... Read More
For those of you thinking that French cuisine is all about fine wine and age old cooking traditions, think again. If you are on the lookout for gastronomic innovation, Montpellier’s Tamarillos is the restaurant to visit. The motto here is “fruit and flowers” as all dishes, whether it be sweet or savoury, starter or desert, promise to be instilled with some form of flower or fruit. This equates to unanticipated flavour combinations, and delicious... Read More
Although Montpellier boasts to be the most fast growing of the French cities, the wonderful things about the city is that it retains a great sense of history, with beautiful old architecture and infrastructure. With its origins in the early middle Ages, the city is steeped in landmarks which exude a sense of rich and timeless heritage. A tour of such sites is a given during your trip, but why not go one step further and arrange to stay in a historical... Read More
-
-
Le Pont du Gard
- This world-famous monument above the River Gard was built in 34 CE. The structure still bears witness to the engineering brilliance and imagination...
- Nile Expert Tip: Close to Nimes the Pont du Gard is one of France's most famous tourist attractions. A UNESCO World Heritage...
user ratingexpert pick -
-
-
Musée Fabre
- This museum is housed in an old high school that once was a former Jesuit college during the 15th and 16th Centuries. Today the museum displays...
-
- Esplanade/Aiguillerie/Loge
user ratingexpert pick -
-
-
Parc zoologique de Lunaret
- These 80 hectares (197 acres) contain over 100 different indigenous and exotic species. No tiny or concrete cages are to be seen and the spacious...
-
- Picnics, Parks & Gardens
- North of Montpellier
user ratingexpert pick -
