Holiday in Montpellier

About Montpellier

Montpellier, the capital of the Occitanie region, is one of the most dynamic cities in southern France: young, cosmopolitan, and sun-drenched, with one of the oldest universities in Europe (founded in 1289, among its students were Rabelais and Nostradamus) and a population whose average age is among the lowest of all French cities. The Place de la Comédie, affectionately called "The Egg" (l’Œuf) due to its oval shape, is the vibrant heart of the city — a large square with the Fountain of the Three Graces, the opera house, and endless street cafes. The medieval old town (Écusson) behind it surprises with winding alleys, magnificent 17th-century Hôtels Particuliers, hidden courtyards, and the Saint-Pierre Cathedral with its powerful facade. Antigone, a monumental district in neoclassical style, was designed by the Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill and extends as an impressive axis to the Lez River. The Musée Fabre is one of the most significant art museums in France, featuring works by Courbet, Delacroix, and Soulages. The tramway with its avant-garde design shapes the cityscape. Montpellier is only 11 kilometers from the Mediterranean — the beaches of Palavas-les-Flots and Carnon are reachable by tram and bus in 30 minutes. The city offers top-notch gastronomy, a vibrant nightlife, and with around 300 sunny days a year, a climate that leaves little to be desired.