A stately city just inland from France’s Mediterranean coast, Montpellier is capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon region, known for its wine production.
Place du Peyrou, the city’s highest point, has excellent views and has a wide boulevard down the middle of its park. Its west end has a triumphal arch overlooking a pool and on the other side is a magnificent, 18th-century aqueduct running as far as the eye can see. To the north are France’s oldest botanical gardens, maintained by Montpellier University, one of the world’s oldest universities.
Rue du Bras de Fer is a narrow, medieval street with a secret sight through almost every portico, and another must-see is Place de la Comédie. This wide, pedestrian square is lined with street cafes and impressive buildings including the 19th-century opera house. Streets leading off contain high-end boutiques, while cheaper Montpellier shopping options are Le Polygone shopping center and the huge Odysseum leisure and shopping complex.
Other Montpellier sights include the 14th-century cathedral and the Antigone district with its grand Neo-Classical architecture. Also worth a look is the Musée Fabre art museum, and speaking of art, keep an eye out for the brightly decorated trams.
Before leaving your Montpellier hotel to go to Méditerranée Airport near the Cote d’Azur, sample some local seafood. The oysters are amazing!
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