Montpellier Travel Guide

Montpellier's constant stream of newcomers soon discover that there's plenty to see and do in this young, cosmopolitan, university city: it has something for everyone, for all age groups and at all kinds of prices… Not only has the city much to offer culturally—reflected in the excellent choice provided by its theatres, cinemas and galleries—party animals will welcome the city's dynamic nightlife, and walking enthusiasts will enjoy Montpellier's superb location, just a short distance from the coast and mountains.

Museums and galleries

Culture lovers will enjoy the city's wealth of art, in particular the fine collection of European paintings (from Renaissance times to the 20th century) on show in the Musée Fabre, the forever changing and totally captivating exhibitions held in the Galerie Photo, or Carré Saint-Anne's display of contemporary art. Open to all, the Agropolis museum retraces the evolution of farming and the food processing industry worldwide and looks into their future. Those interested in local history should make a beeline for the Musée Languedocien, which has magnificent antique and medieval collections, as well as the Vieux Montpellier museum for its antique objects and furniture.

Cinemas and theatres

Film buffs will find that Montpellier is well catered for cinema-wise with two huge multi-plexes: the Méga CGR and the Gaumont Multiplexe, both of which are situated on the outskirts of the city. Art-house cinema doesn't do badly either with the city's four Diagonal film theatres screening films in their original languages.

As far as theatre is concerned, there are many different kinds to suit all ages. Small children will adore the shows put on in the Petit Théâtre de la mer, a small theatre situated in the seaside town of Palavas, just 8km from Montpellier. Adults will enjoy the performances in La Paillade's Theâtre Jean-Vilar on the outskirts of Montpellier, the season at the Théâtre Moliéres in nearby Sète, the programme in Clermont-l'Hérault's Théâtre Municipal or the Théâtre Lakanal des Beaux-arts' offerings. These theatres offer a wide range of plays performed by highly-acclaimed local, national and international theatre companies.

Bars and clubs

There are loads of bars to choose from for a pre-theatre drink, sitting out on the terrace or ensconced in unique surroundings that give each bar its own particular charm. In Fitzpatrick's Irish pub—a typically Irish pub—you can enjoy a pint of draught beer in pleasant surroundings. Fun too are the theme evenings organized in the Fil (Le) and the Inédit. If sitting out on the terrace is more your scene, head for Roule ma poule or the La Place bar, both of which overlook two of the city's prettiest squares. Once the evening's in full swing, a young, student crowd meets up in the Macadam Pub or the Odyssée, while those of more mature years tend to favour the cosier, more intimate surroundings of the Circus or the Comptoir Bistrot à Vin (Le).

For jazz fans, the best bet is the Jam (Le), while blues features in the Cargo. Antirouille (l') is the place to go to for world and popular French music, and if you like your music mega-loud, you can get an earful in the Salle Victoire 2 in Saint Jean de Védas or the Rockstore in town, also run as a nightclub.

A number of nightclubs, most of them situated along the coastline near beach resorts, let clubbers in for free: there's Matchico (varied clientele and music), Pulp (great interior design), Villa Rouge (techno music, gay and hetero clientele), and Souleil Galerie (the bronzed hordes' favourite!) for those die-hard clubbers among you!

Walks

As well as taking in the city's cultural treasures and enjoying its lively nightlife, trips to the seashore and walking in the area will do you a world of good. Montpellier is just 8km from the sea (Palavas, Grande-Motte (La) being just two of several nearby seaside resorts...) and 30km or so from the Cévennes, where you can try your hand at activities such as canoeing, rock climbing... Blow away those cobwebs and have a complete change of scene by taking off into the garrigue, or wild moorland to visit charming little villages like Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, caves (such as the Grotte des Demoiselles or the Grotte de Clamouse) and natural cirques such as the Cirque de Mourèze and the Cirque de Navacelles. Venture that little bit further and the Haut Languedoc national park has many more surprises in store…2008-08-02T07:29:22.000 218