| |
Guide to Montpellier, France
|
Click to go to Flight Prices for Montpellier
|
MontpellierMontpellier, one of the most beautiful cities in France (and one of its oldest) lies in the lower Languedoc region of the country touching the Mediterranean. It started as a university city, and to this day retains its title of one of the premier cities for medical schooling in the world. Montpellier has been home to quite a number of historys intelligentsia, including Nostradamus and Rabelais. In fact, Nostradamus successfully completed his doctoral studies at the 13^th -century university. Montpellier has been booming in recent times - with an influx of not only visitors, but immigrants as well - yet it has held onto its old-town charm, partly because students are a sizeable amount of the citys population. The landscape throughout and around the city is purely picturesque, and even though the number of pedestrians has increased, you still see the beauty in the citys classic promenades and broad avenues flanked by historical monuments.
When to go:
High-summer, between July and August youll experience the best weather the Mediterranean has to offer the city. Its not very humid, rainfall is low, and the daily temperatures are ideal. Throughout the rest of the year, youll run into the usually rainshower; nothing drastic. But you may not find the chilly weather to be appealing; winter in Montpellier is obviously cold (not freezing, though), and autumn is chilly add to that a noticeable spike in showers. Montpellier is a beautiful feast for the eyes any time of year, but if you want to experience the best the city has to offer, summer is your pick.
Getting there and around:
The airport serving Montpellier, Montpellier-Mediterranee International, is not the best flight-hub in the world, but it suits the traffic it serves well. Montpellier-Mediterranee International offers 12 flights to Paris everyday, and many major European cities offer non-stop direct flights to Montpellier. Overseas flights may be tricky, but flights from US, Australian, and Asian locations usually fly to Paris before heading over to Montpellier. Lucky for you, the airport is just a 10 minute ride or drive to the downtown area, and you can easily get there via the cheap and reliable airport shuttle.
Traveling Montpellier is simple enough with the multitude of cabs and trams available. Trams are the cheapest, but cabs are available more often, especially during the evening and late-night hours. Renting a car is also a good choice; the city has a great number of parking spots, especially downtown, and you can always venture out into the French countryside at any moment.
Attractions:
France is renowned for its beautiful castles, and Montpellier is home to a few grand ones itself. Flaugergues Castle is a 17^th -century marvel located in the center of a private vineyard known as Coteaux de la Mejanelle. Because of its private affiliation, the castle is not always open to public viewing, so you may have to call to arrange a private tour. July and August are the months when the owners allow visitors to freely walk the hallways; Flaugergues Castle is closed Mondays. Mogere Castle is another beauty, albeit a younger beauty. It was erected in the 18^th -century, and is filled with much of the same items as Flaugergues Castle: antique furniture and art. One aspect that surely stands out on the Mogere Castle is the rockwork. Many visitors come simply for that reason. Chateau DAssas is not so much a castle as a summer house. It was built by the famous architect Giral, and instead of housing the ordinary luxurious amenities as the preview two mentioned, Chateau DAssas highlights its oval music hall. It gained such increased attention that concerts are now held in autumn here.
Montpellier is home to one of the greatest museums in the country, Fabre Museum. Once a Jesuit college, the museum - founded in 1825 - is heavily focused on offering the most spectacular art experience in France. Flemish, Dutch, Italian, Spanish and French pieces adorn the many galleries here, and youll find numerous works by the likes of Greuze, Ingres, Delacriox, Courbet, and Bazille. The museum also touches lightly on the departments of ceramics, sculpture, and contemporary art.
If youre interested, the city has one of the best gardens in the country, in fact, it is the oldest. Started in 1593 as a research haven for university students, it has become one of the premier botanical masterpieces in France.
|
|
|
