Montpellier: what to do, what to see...

Montpellier, barely 11km from the Mediterranean Sea, boasts a historic city centre. Its historic scholarly links with medicine are still alive today, making it a lively student city bursting with cultural events and nightlife. Contemporary architecture by Antigone at Port Marianne and the new town hall again highlight this blend of tradition and modernity that can be seen throughout this charming and sun-kissed city.

WHAT TO SEE

• Medieval lanes, private mansion courtyards and pedestrian streets of the old town
• The Fabre museum of fine-art housing pieces from the Renaissance to present day
• The Follies ”houses amongst the leaves” from the 18th Century
• Contemporary architecture by the greatest architects in the new town
• The cathedral of Maguelone, a Romanesque jewel between the vineyards and the sea

WHAT TO DO

• Strolling from one bar to another for drinks and tapas
• Lez Market, trendy and gourmet
• Art exhibitions at the Panacée contemporary cultural centre
• Vast murals and collages throughout the streets of Montpellier
• The ‘vineyard route’ and Garrigue to meet passionate producers

WHAT TO TASTE

• The Grès wines of Montpellier
• Sample local Lucque olives
• Oysters from Prévost Pond in Villeneuve-Lès-Maguelone
• Grisettes, small round sweets made of honey and liquorice
• Tielles, spiced octopus pies, a speciality of Sète

WHAT TO BRING BACK

• The Grès wines of Montpellier
• Some Lucque olives
• Art works from the numerous galleries
• Model trams designed by Garouste and Bonetti or Christian Lacroix
• The sunshine of the South all year round

Getting to Montpellier