Montpellier Budget Travel Guide is written for the benefit of people who wish to make a visit to Montpellier on their own. In writing this guide, I want to share with you useful information for going to Montpellier and the transport options for moving around there. The places of interest in Montpellier are also listed and described.
Montpellier is a city in southern France. It is presently the 8th biggest city in the country, and the fastest growing in the past 25 years. The city traces its history to AD 985, when it was founded by the Guillem counts of Toulouse.
During the 16th century, the people of Montpellier were mostly Huguenots - as Protestants were called - who resisted the Catholic French crown. In response, King Louis XIII lay siege on the city in 1622 and captured in after eight months. There he built the Citadel of Montpellier.
Today Montpellier is a major industrial centre in southern France. It saw a wave of immigration when many Algerians came to settle there following the independence of Algeria from France.
Montpellier experiences a Mediterranean climate. The warmest months are July and August, when average high temperature can hit 28.9°C (84°F). The coldest month is January, when average temperature goes down to 2.7°C (36.9°F). The wettest month is October (101mm) while the driest is July (20mm).
Montpellier has a number of heritage mansions (called Hôtel) that were restored and open to the public.
Budget Travel to Montpellier
By Plane
You can fly to Montpellier, landing at the Méditerranée Airport. Budget travelers can fly there from Brussels-Charleroi (CRL), Frankfurt-Hahn (HHN) and London Stansted (STN). EasyJet also flies there from London Gatwick (LGW).
There's a bus from the airport to downtown. The fare is €5.00.
By Train
You can reach Montpellier by taking the TGV high-speed train from Paris in 3 hours 15 minutes, Lille (4hr 50min), Lyon (1 hr 40 min), Valence (1 hr 45 min) and Nice (5 hrs).
Budget Travel within Montpellier
Montpellier is not particularly spread out, so it is possible to explore it on foot. You can also take the trams and buses. Tickets can be bought from vending machines at the tram stops or from bus drivers. They cost €1.30 and is good for transfers up to an hour.
Cathédrale de St-Pierre Roman Catholic cathedral, seat of the Arlchbishop of Montpellier.
Château d'Eau Castle at Promenade de Peyrou.
CORUM An state-of-the-art opera and conference centre in the city centre.
Hôtel de Manse 17th century mansion that once belonged to the count of Manse, treasurer to the king of France.
Hôtel des Trésoriers de France Another mansion belonging to a treasurer of the French king, this one for Jacques Cœur, and built in 1432.
Hôtel des Trésoriers de la Bourse Also called Hôtel Rodez-Benavent, this is a mansion with two courtyards and a grand open staircase.
Hôtel de Varennes Originally medieval building renovated in the 18th century.
Jardin des Plantes The oldest botanical gardens in France, established in 1593.
Mare Nostrum Modern aquarium in the Odysseum leisure zone of Montpellier.
Notre-Dame des Tables de Montpellier Church at the heart of the inner city of Montpellier. Present building dates to the 18th century.
Place de la Comédie Also called l'Oeuf, meaning "The Egg", this is a popular square in Montpellier, surrounded by famous buildings.
Promenade de Peyrou Promenade with panoramic views of Montpellier, the sea and the mountains.
Tour de la Babote and Tours des Pins 12th century fortifications, remnants from early settlement destroyed by the Wars of Religion of the 16th century.
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