Welcome to my home town! (Montpellier)

Member Name: Elliott2424

Product:	Montpellier
Date:	21/04/06 (84 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Warm weather, 2 hours flight

Disadvantages: Growing to fast!

I come from Montpellier. I was born there, I grew up there and then I left. And then I came back, and left again. Once you've been there, once you tamed its people, you will always come back, for Montpellier is a wonderful city and has a lot to offer.
Montpellier is the capital of Languedoc-Roussillon, one of the largest region of France, and almost touch the Mediterranean Sea.
The old town center itself, with the Cathedral St Pierre, the Botanical Garden, the Jardin du Peyrou (made for Louis XIV), the Ancien Courrier Quarter... you will find History on every corners and since the old town is not very big, it is all fairly short walking distance. And do nto forget to check out those Hotel Particulier, large town house form the 18th Century, used to belong to wealthy bourgeois or aristocrats. It is usually free to contemplate their inner garden!!
Montpellier was made famous for its university, and was the place to be to study medecine back in the 17th Century. And guess what? It is still the place to be to study even today!
In 30 years, the town grew twice as big as it was before. The warm weather attracts all students from all over France and made Montpellier a very young town indeed!
As I said the town grew very quickly, taking all hamlets and villages around under its wing.
You will need more than a few days to visit this town.
Transports are all very good and consist of buses and tramways, they are relatively cheap too and most of the road signs are translated in english, dutch and spanish.
And in only 15 minutes by car, a bit more by bus, you arrive at La Grande Motte with the sea and its sand dunes, but beware it is aboslutley packed in summer!
In winter, you can go skiing at Mont Aigoual, only 1.30 Hour drive from Montpellier. And after visiting all around (and you will need some time!!!) if you are still hungry for some adventures, why not head to Barcelona? With the Highway, it is only a bit more than 2 hours away!!

The best time to visit Montpellier is in May-June, Sept-Oct. Try to avoid the summer as it tends to be overcrowded with tourist and it can be really hot (100 F is very common) and you can still enjoy a splash in the sea in September (I remember going to the beach until Mid October when I was young!)
Bon voyage!

Summary: Great Location and great weather all year around!