Description:

Introduction

The capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon is France’s fastest growing city,it climbed in less than 25 years from rank 20 to 8.

The population still grows by about 20.000 per annum ,a recent survey in France put the city on the  number one spot where people want to live.

Today ,the population exceeds a quarter million,an estimated 20 to 25 % of them are students of Europe’s oldest university,founded in 1220 ,but still alive and well,today split up in three separate campuses.

Geography

Montpellier is built on two hills,the highest point is Place Peyrou ,at 57 metres.

A lot of the city’s force of attraction ,apart from the architectural, is undoubtedly its great location,only ten kilometres off the coast,and in the middle of the Côteaux du Languedoc vineyards,and on top of that, benefiting the finest weather in France.

The city is central located,every corner in the Languedoc ,from the Pyrenees to the Lozère plains,can be reached by car within two hours.

Tourism

Most of Montpellier’s main attractions are situated in the old district, also known as l’Ecusson,roughly located between Place Peyrou and Place Comédie,most of its narrow streets are car-free,and as it is not so vast,it is easy to explore on foot.

The hereafter listed summary of adeas is by no means definitive,as one can easily spend a couple of weeks in this city.

The best place to start is the Place comédie ,the central square where the most of Montpellier city life take place,the square is lined by pavement cafés and is also the site of the impressive 19^th century opera house .

Stroll down the shaded Esplanade Charles de Gaulle,at the far edge is the Corum conference center,a modern building ,which is also home to Montpellier’s second opera house.

Enter the old district near Musée Fabre,one of Montpellier’s eight museums,which certainly houses on of the most impressive collections in the south of France.

This part of the town boasting trendy places,including exclusive boutiques and chic wine bars ,Place Jean Jaures,packed with cafés and terraces is the ultimate student hang-out of Montpellier.

Many of the famous  private mansions(hôtels) in this district and other attractions are only open to the public when visited by a guide tour,starting at the tourist office(Esplanade Charles De Gaulle)and take up to about three hours.

The western part of l’Ecusson is home to some of Montpellier’s eye-catching sites ,including the massive Gothic style St-Pierre Cathedral and its adjacent Faculty of Medecine.

Just across the street lies the Jardin Des Plantes,the oldest botanical garden in France,founded in 1593.

The city has its own Arc de triomphe,built in the late 17^th century in honour of Louis XIV,just beyond it lies the Place du Peyrou and the vast Château d’eau(the water tower)with the nearby St-Clément aquaduct,the upper terrace of the square is the highest point of the city and offers stunning views of the greater Montpellier area.

On the eastern edge of the town,and linked to the centre by the “triangle”and the Polygone shopping centre,lies the antigone district,an impressive neo-Classical style housing project,consisting housing,shops ,public amenities and squares.
The tourist office issues a "Montpellier card" which allows reductions on many attractions and amenties,available for 24,48 or 72 hours.
Click here to see the main attractions on a map.

Economy & Commerce

The greater Montpellier area is an important high-tech and education centre,the city has three university campuses and therefore a lively student scene,the surroundings boast an important wine industry(Côteaux de Languedoc)and the city itself has countless boutiques,bars and shops,including the impressive Polygone shopping mall,situated right between the ancient l’Ecusson and modern Antigone districts.

Sports & Activities

Montpellier is home to the Languedoc’s only ligue 1 football club,MHFC,playing at the stade Mosson,two rugby teams,MHRC (top 14)at the stade Yves du Manoir, and the Red Devils (elite 1)at the stade Sabathé.

The Vipers play first division ice hockey at the odysseum,the city has also a first league water polo and handball team.

Transportation

Montpellier has a well-served international airport ,Paris is only three-and-a-half hours away by TGV train,and is within easy reach by car ,the A9 motorway is nearby as well as the new toll-free A75 which runs to Paris via Clermont-Ferrand.

Several bus lines running through the city,as well as a state-of-the-art tramway,two lines are operational,running from east to west and northeast to southwest suburbs,they intersect near the Corum,the Place Europe ,Rives du Lez and the St-Roch train station.(see map below),there is also a comprehensive bike rental scheme.

The construction of a third line has started (in service by 2012),a fourth is planned and will run as far as the famous 
La Grande Motte beach resort.
There are car parks along the tramway lines,the tram ride is included in the parking fee and is for all the the passengers in the car.

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