Montpellier Tourist Attractions
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Montpellier, university city, diocesan city and capital of the region of Languedoc-Roussillon and of the département of Hérault, is situated some distance west of the Camargue on the River Lez, some 10km/6mi from the coast of the Golfe du Lion. With its three universities, national élite schools (Grandes Ecoles), agricultural college (the "Agropolis" agrarian research center), libraries, conservatoire, etc. it is an economic and cultural center for the region.The town came into being after the second destruction of the nearby settlement of Maguelone by Charles Martel (737). In the 13th C. it belonged to the Kings of Aragon, then until 1349 to the Kings of Mallorca as vassals of the French. As early as 1289 Montpellier had a university, where Francesco Petrarch studied from 1316 to 1319 and François Rabelais from 1530 to 1532 and from 1537 to 1538. At the end of the 16th C. the city was a headquarters of the Huguenots. In 1622 it was conquered by Louis XIII.
Place de la Comédie
In Montepellier, the Place de la Comédie with its Fontaine des Trois Grâces, a fountain dating from 1776, is the heart of the Inner City. On the southwestern side of the square stands the theater (opera-house). From here the great boulevards radiate around the area of the Old Town (the greater part a pedestrian precinct), which extends to the northwest on a hilltop. In the Old Town the 50 or so patrician and merchants' mansions from the 17th/18th C. testify to the former wealth of the city.
Promenade du Peyrou
In Montpellier, from the Place de la Comédie the visitor can take the Rue de la Loge (pedestrian area) and the Rue Foch, impressive with its splendid 19th C buildings, to reach the Promenade du Peyrou, an elevated park on two levels, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, which offers a beautiful view as far as the Cévennes and the sea. At the intersection of the promenades stands an equestrian statue of Louis XIV, dating from 1828, while at the western end of the terraces is a water-tower. The water is led through a channel 14m/46ft wide which was constructed between 1753 and 1766 and which terminates in an imposing aqueduct 800m/875yds long and up to 21.5m/71ft high. On both sides of the water-tower steps lead down to the Boulevard des Arceaux where the market is held.
Arc de Triomphe
Forming the gateway to Montpellier Old Town, the Arc de Triomphe, a 15m/49ft high triumphal arch in honor of Louis XIV, stands at the east end of the Promenade du Peyrou, on the northern side of which is the stately Palais de Justice (lawcourts). Rue Foch, which goes east form here, is impressive for its fine 19th century buildings.
Jardin des Plantes
In Montpellier, flanking the Boulevard Henri IV, just to the north of the Arc de Triomphe, lies the Jardin des Plantes; laid out in 1593, it was the first botanical garden in France and has a large number of exotic plants.
Musée Atger
The Musée Atger (Boulevard Henri IV) has drawings by French and Italian masters from the Baroque period on display. The impressive building was originally a bishop's palace belonging to the Abbey of St-Bênoit (14th and 16th C.); since the French Revolution it has been the seat of the Faculté de Médicine, founded in 1221. The Maison d'Heidelberg (Center Culturel Franco-Allemand) is also housed here.To the north of the museum stands the Tour des Pins, a relic of the medieval city fortifications.
Cathédrale de St Pierre
In Montpellier, to the east of the Faculté de Médicine (Rue de l'Ecole de Médicine) stands the Gothic cathedral of St-Pierre, founded in 1364 after the Wars of Religion and restored in 1867. The severe double- towered facade has a high-vaulted canopied portico.
Musée Fabre
At the eastern edge of Montpellier Old Town, diametrically opposite the Promenade du Peyrou, lies its simpler counterpart, the Esplanade Charles de Gaulle. On the west side (Rue Montpellieret) stands the Musée Fabre, which includes a picture gallery with works by old Italian and Dutch painters, as well as older and more modern French masters and fine 18th C. sculptures.
Corum
At the northern end of the Esplanade Charles de Gaulle Corum in Montpellier, the opera hall and conference building by Claude Vasconi, was opened in 1990 (Opéra Berlioz, 2,000 seats). From its roof terrace there is a beautiful view across the Old Town to the sea.To the east of the Esplanade stands the former citadel, built in 1624, which is today used for educational purposes (Lycée Joffre).
Antigone
In Montpellier, to the east of the Polygone department store, between Bd. Antigone and Allées du Nouveau Monde, Ricardo Bofill has constructed the Antigone district, which stretches as far as the River Lez, and which is a shining example of post-modern architecture.
Music at Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert
This annual two-month festival runs from late June to late July and focuses mainly on baroque music. There are usually over 10 concerts, ranging from choral and chamber performances to piano and organ recitals, all of which take place in the Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert Abbey. Art exhibitions are also staged to coincide with the festival.
Festival of Radio France
This annual three-week festival runs from mid-July to early August and includes over eighty afternoon and evening performances. Events include numerous large scale operas and classical concerts.Various venues are used, including local abbeys, cathedrals, churches and theaters.
Surroundings
Maguelone
16km/10mi south of Montpellier is the old port of Maguelone, which was completely destroyed by Louis XIII in 1633, leaving only the 12th C. Cathedral of St-Pierre relatively unscathed. It has a beautiful west doorway and contains a 15th C. sarcophagus.
Le Caylar - Labiel Cave
This is the only underground river on the Causse du Larzac open to the public. There is evidence that it was inhabited by Neolithic man, although it was turned into a cheese-making factory at the end of the last century. Renewed exploration at the site began in the 1980s and continues today.The cave includes a prehistoric gallery, crystalline formations, calcite crystals, waterfalls, stalagmites and colonnettes.
St Bauzille de Putois - Fairy Grotto
This spectacular cave is 120 meters long and 52 meters high, full of such rich decorations, it has been called the "Subterranean Cathedral." There are numerous limestone rocks in exquisite shapes, as well as colorful stalagmites, stalactites, draperies and cascades.
Clamouse Cave, St Jean de Fos
This large cave was discovered in 1945 and opened to the public in 1964. The cave is nearly 4 kilometers long, and is known throughout the world for its speleothems (calcite and aragonite flowers) as well as its many helictites soda straws and discs.Lighting and mood music has been added to the cave.
Château de Castries
An aqueduct 7km in length draws water for Château de Castries to the grotto garden. Two pools are also filled by the water. Beyond a terrace that sits before the house, is a pool and still further is a woodland.
Map of Montpellier Attractions
Map - Montpellier Attractions
