DESTINATION MONTPELLIER
PRESS KIT 2017
Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole Tourist Office & Convention Bureau Press contact : Aline COUQUET • +33 (0)4 67 60 19 34 • +33 (0)6 89 95 59 58 • [email protected] www.montpellier-france.com A WORD FROM PHILIPPE SAUREL
« Montpellier is an international metropolis and a popular tourist destination. We are lucky enough to have a multitude of features that make us a global destination and the unofficial capital of the Mediterranean. In fact, I would like to hold a sort of G7 meeting, an informal gathering of all of the heads of the municipal districts bordering the Mediterranean, to discuss potential cooperation between us, particularly in respect of tourism. Montpellier is a destination that combines sea, sun, culture, history, wine, youth, traditions, back country and major tourist attractions. For all these reasons, we owe it to our visitors to offer them a unique, high quality experience. »
Philippe SAUREL Mayor of Montpellier, President of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, land of the South and an authentic and charming tourist destination, will surprise you! Montpellier’s town centre is an old medieval city where its narrow streets, Place de la Comédie, Faculté de Médecine and Place Royal du Peyrou attract visitors from around the world. It is also a modern metropolis, open to contemporary architecture, science, culture and recreation. But Montpellier Méditerranée is much more than that! A MONTPELLIER protected area, made up of various landscapes between mountains, sea and vineyards. A typical laid back Medi- terranean atmosphere. Delicious food and wine bursting with sunshine. Two international golf courses. Exceptional Montpellier cultural and sporting events. Languedoc Roussillon, Montpellier opens a world of possibilities, whether you are Sud de France in search of discovery, pleasure, flavour or just a good time to experience and share. Halfway between Spain and Italy 3 ¼ hours from Paris by TGV Less than 2 hours from Marseille 11km from the Mediterranean
In the heart of a region with 7 wonders listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites
MONTPELLIER, IS….
• A town with its own particular ambiance and character, a historic heritage and a particularly privileged geographical location; • A town with special traditions to which no other town in France can lay claim: the crafting of string instruments, medicine stretching back to the Middle Ages; • Trendy, young and at the cutting edge.
… ALL THESE STRENGTHS COMBINE TO MAKE MONTPELLIER:
• a must-visit City Break destination in Europe; • a top destination for international business tourism; • the top destination for language holidays after Paris; • a destination of choice for architecture and town planning study tours; • a culturally vibrant city.
MONTPELLIER, MEDITERRANEAN METROPOLIS
The Mediterranean is at the centre of Montpellier’s identity. First, thanks to its geographic location, but also through the economic partnerships that the city has established, as well as everything it has to offer in terms of tourism and culture. The Mediterranean is fully present in the city’s cultural programme, in which it plays an important role. Some examples include CineMed film festival (for which the Mediterranean is the very essence), the Comédie du Livre book fair (showca- sing Italy this year), and Montpellier Danse (which promotes Mediterranean dancers). For Montpellier, acting as the capital of the Mediterranean comes naturally, as can readily be seen in its cultural calendar. And around this unique identity – part culture, part Mediterranean – high quality, well organized tourism is being built up to offer our guests the best possible experience. To identify at the firts look, sites and dicovery tips in Montpellier’s surrounding are mentionned in this press kit with Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole .
Montpellier 2016 • Press contact • +33 (0)4 67 60 19 34 • +33 (0)6 89 95 59 58 • [email protected] 3
CONTENTS
Montpellier, one of the top 10 for successful holidays 5 Montpellier, where heatlh reigns supreme! 7 Montpellier, 1 000 years of history 10 Montpellier, immersion by design 13 Montpellier, the family destination of choice! 16 IMontpellier, for lovers of fine foods and wines 19 Montpellier, a land of tradition and creation 22 Montpellier, thinks green 24 Montpellier, 2nd top destination for French as a foreign language after Paris 27 Montpellier, 6th largest conference destination in France 29 Agenda 31 Practical Montpellier 38 Key figures 39 Access 40 Where to find us 41
Montpellier 2016 • Press contact • +33 (0)4 67 60 19 34 • +33 (0)6 89 95 59 58 • [email protected] 4 MONTPELLIER, ONE OF THE TOP 10 FOR SUCCESSFUL HOLIDAYS
What makes Montpellier so special? If you are here for a day trip or a two-day visit, how can you be sure not to miss out on Montpellier’s top attractions? 10 tips to help you get the very best out of the Montpellier area.
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The place de la Comédie Push open the doors to private courtyards The place de la Comédie, Montpelier’s iconic heart, Massive gates, huge, luminous courtyards, stairs is the top place to visit. Once known as the Place with wrought-iron balustrades – Montpellier and its de l’Oeuf (Egg Square) because of its oval shape, it surrounding area together boast almost 80 private is one of the largest pedestrian precincts in Europe mansions of the classical period. Nowadays these and is dominated by the imposing Opéra Comédie. private courtyards, veritable hidden gems, can only In the centre, the ‘Three Graces’ stand proudly, a be visited on guided tours organised by the Tourist fountain and statue built in 1773. Office… However, keep your eyes peeled! When you turn a corner in the street, you might just happen The Fabre museum de Montpellier on an open door and be able to take a rare glimpse Méditerranée Métropole inside. This adds a whole new dimension to strolling through the city… This museum is considered to be one of the finest Fine Arts Museums in Europe – its ancient and Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole modern architecture makes it quite exceptional. It houses European works from the Renaissance to the Explore the terroir through your taste buds present day and has a wing devoted exclusively to You cannot really know the real Montpellier without contemporary artist, Pierre Soulages. tasting a gourmet meal! In addition to the city’s 3 starred chefs, there are other simpler yet equally Explore its tiny mediaeval streets exciting pleasures; the opportunity to stroll through Montpellier boasts numerous tiny mediaeval streets, fragrant markets, taste Grés de Montpellier AOC which bear testament to its proud past. Rue de la and Languedoc wines in Montpellier restaurants or Valfère, Rue du Bras de Fer, Rue de L’Argenterie are directly at the cellars and wine estates themselves, sure to take you back in time and introduce you to and get to know all about oysters at the Estivales a whole new world… Our recommendation? Forget or directly at the Bassin de Thau, a 20-minute drive all about your map, and just follow your instincts as from Montpellier. you wend your way along these narrow streets. Why not go shopping in the boutiques with their vaulted Enjoy an architectural tour ceilings and visit designers, antique dealers and tea- Montpellier’s most striking feature is its diversi- rooms, or see some art at Carré Ste Anne, Galerie St ty. Every quarter in this town is different from the Ravy etc... enjoy a journey back through time! next and together they offer an illustration of the town’s 1000-year history. A perfect blend of ancient Visiting without a car and contemporary architecture, where you move Montpellier is a pedestrian destination and can be between tiny mediaeval streets and feats of Pritzker explored on foot, by bike or by tram. Goodbye stress, prize-winning modern architecture, by architects goodbye noise. No cars are allowed in the city centre. such as Jean Nouvel and Zaha Hadid. No sooner do you arrive at St Roch station than you are immersed in a vast pedestrian precinct. This Visit Rabelais makes your visit all the more intense, with street And get under his gown, to be more precise! Mont- artists and cafe terraces against the backdrop of the pellier owes its development to the renown of its colourful carousel created by the 4 tram lines that Faculty of Medicine, the oldest in the Western world serve the town. still to be active. Rabelais himself was a student there, as can be seen by his gown hanging at the Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole entrance to the assembly room, where the students The seaside all year round and private used to take their Hippocratic oath. The city is beaches in summer proud of this heritage and is working hard to have the Faculty of Medicine listed as a UNESCO World With the Mediterranean only 11 km away, the seaside Heritage site. is an integral part of the metropolitan area. Why not recharge your batteries and take a break in Ville- Put down your suitcases and just enjoy… neuve-lès-Maguelone? This is a delightful spot with Montpellier is not just a destination to be seen, it Maguelone Cathedral nestling between vineyards and must be experienced! Strolling through the streets, the sea. The private beaches welcome visitors from sitting down on a lively, sun-drenched cafe terrace, April to September. Its pop-up restaurants and eve- enjoying a performance, seeing an exhibition. ning/concert venues are very popular with local resi- dents and tourists alike.
Montpellier 2016 • Press contact • +33 (0)4 67 60 19 34 • +33 (0)6 89 95 59 58 • [email protected] 6 La Faculté de médecine
MONTPELLIER, WHERE HEALTH REIGNS SUPREME!
‘Abroad, when people talk of Montpellier, the first thing they think of is medicine and health’, says Jacques Bringer, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of Montpellier. It is true that, since the very beginning, medicine has played a prominent role in the town’s development, as can be seen by the Faculty of Medicine, the oldest in the Western world still to be active. A tradition stretching back 1000 years and yet more important than ever before for the present and the future!
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Hippocrates was born in Kos but is now an adoptive Botanical gardens son of Montpellier The Montpellier Botanical Garden is one of the Montpellier has been the cradle of the teaching of oldest in Europe. It was created by order of Henri IV medicine for eight centuries and owes its fame to its in 1593 for Pierre Richer de Belleval (1564- 1632). Faculty, the oldest School of Medicine in the Western At the time it served as a model for designing all world still to be active. It has attracted some very the botanical gardens in France, including the one famous students including François Rabelais and in Paris 40 years later. Originally of limited size, Nostradamus, and teachers such as Arnaud de Vil- the garden occupied around one hectare with one leneuve and Gui de Chauliac, after whom hospitals main butte - the «mountain» - plus space for a plant in Montpellier are named. The region has nurtured collection. Over the years the garden area grew to and benefited from this historic heritage and is now include a systems school, an arboretum, and a land- a world leader in this field. scaped park. Now the property of the University of Montpellier I, the garden is classified as a Historical
Did you know? Monument and Protected Site. A peaceful haven of poets, Montpellier’s ‘island of green’ and the oldest An astonishing edict Botanical Garden in France was for a long time the Montpellier was only two centuries old when its preserve of the botanists at the Faculty of Medicine Lord, Guilhem VIII, signed an astonishing edict in who researched the lives of plants. 1180. He declared that anyone, regardless of reli- Whether you are a botanist or poet, come and gion or background, could teach medicine in Mont- explore the Jardin Anglais (English Garden), Jardin pellier. And thus the Faculty of Medicine was born, de Recherche (the Research Garden), the mystical and with it the city’s destiny… trees of the Ecole Forestière (the Forest School), and the statues of Richer de Belleval and Rabelais.
A RICH AND VARIED MEDIAEVAL Pharmacie Museum and HERITAGE the Chapelle de la Miséricorde The historical site of La Miséricorde is home to the The Faculty of Medicine last existing apothecary in Montpellier. Since the departure of the Sisters of Charity of St Vincent De Montpellier, the cradle of the teaching of medicine, Paul in 2001, this place of remembrance, listed as a owes its fame to this Faculty, the oldest School of historic monument, has been managed by the City of Medicine in the Western world which has never Montpellier. The pharmacy, comprising two rooms, stopped operating. The city is proud of this historic (the 18th century and 19th-century dispensaries) heritage and is working hard to have it listed as a contains an extremely rare collection of monster UNESCO World Heritage site. pots, cannon-shaped pots, jugs and albarellos, the legacy of several centuries of Montpellier pottery. The Conservatory of Anatomy The conservatory was initially designed for the tea- Also visit... ching of anatomy and provided an incomparable Saint Côme amphitheatre, which formerly ser- means of instruction for generations of students ved as an amphitheatre for the College of Surgery, long before current techniques for investigating the and La Panacée, the former Royal College of Medi- human body came into existence. cine which was converted into a centre for art and Its collection, which boasts almost 5 600 anatomical contemporary culture in 2012. parts and teaching tools, has been listed as a histo- ric monument since 2004. It can only be visited on tours organised by the Tourist Office. THEMED GUIDED TOURS
Led by qualified Tourist Office guides, allow tourists to visit this iconic home of medicine. See the quarterly programme of guided tours: www.montpellier-france.com
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MONTPELLIER, FACING THE Did you know? FUTURE Montpellier, with its digital incubator, is one of 9 Currently the 5th most important city in France for French towns to have received the French Tech label research, Montpellier is active in 4 main areas: on 12 November 2014. A fitting reward for dynamism • Health, with its research laboratories and highly and local expertise! reputed university; • Agronomy, with Agropolis, a global research plat- form; • Digital technology, particularly in the area of health, with, for example, the Rosa robot designed to assist surgeons and operations developed by a Montpellier company, Medtech; • The environment, focusing on two main areas: renewable energy and Pôle EAU, which operates in the area of water and eco-technology valorisation.
Montpellier 2016 • Press contact • +33 (0)4 67 60 19 34 • +33 (0)6 89 95 59 58 • [email protected] 9 Aqueduc Saint-Clément
MONTPELLIER, 1000 YEARS OF HISTORY
Montpellier’s most striking feature is its diversity. Every quarter in this town is different from the next and together they illustrate the town’s 1000-year history... A mixture of different ambiences and landscapes, and a host of disco- veries just waiting to be made in a city which is constantly reinventing itself.
KEY DATES FOR MONTPELLIER
985 - The Count of Melgueil gifts the Mons Pestellarium to Count Bernard de Melgueil 1196 - construction of a common enclosure, a fortification which quadrupled the size of the town 1220 - Founding of the Faculty of Medicine 1593 - Founding of the Jardin des Plantes, the oldest botanical gardens in France, by Pierre Richer de Belleval 1753 - Founding of the first Place Royale, called the Promenade du Peyrou, designed by Etienne Giral 1979 - First stone laid for the Antigone quarter 1998 - First activities launched at the Odysseum leisure centre 2011 - Inauguration of the new town hall, designed by Jean Nouvel and François Fontès, in the Port Marianne quarter 2015 - Creation of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole
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Almost 70 private courtyards Odysseum After the Wars of Religion, Montpellier was rebuilt Montpelier’s prime leisure and shopping centre, at thanks to its new status as capital of the Languedoc. the terminus of tram line 1. It boasts more than The town acquired wealth and its mediaeval accom- 100 boutiques and a wide range of leisure activities, modations were reorganised. The first private man- including the Mare Nostrum aquarium, a planeta- sions made their appearance rium, themed restaurants, etc…
The Mikveh, a Jewish ritual bath Did you know? Montpellier is a land of tolerance and hospitality and Montpellier has only been in existence for 1000 has, from its earliest days, been a melting pot, as years, but life in the surrounding area has roots a can be seen from this mediaeval Jewish ritual bath, great deal farther back. The ancient harbour of dating from the 12th century, one of the oldest in Lattara, built on the edge of the basin and the river Europe. Viewing only possible as part of the guided Lez, occupied from the 16th century BC until the 3rd tours organised by the Tourist Office. century A.D., was an important hub for economic and cultural trade for all the peoples of the Wes- The Faculty of Medicine tern Mediterranean: Etruscans, Greeks, Iberians, Successively occupying a Benedictine monastery Romans and local peoples. After a gap of several founded in the 14th century, then a Bishop’s Palace, centuries, in the Middle Ages, Lattes became the and finally a Medical School, the Faculty of Medicine harbour serving Montpellier. came into existence in 1220. It is the oldest School of Medicine in the Western world still to be active.
From square to square From place de la Comédie, the must-visit heart of the city, to Place Royale du Peyrou, a treat for lovers of history and wide open spaces, Montpellier boasts a multitude of squares large and small.
Antigone The Antigone quarter definitely has something Gre- co-Roman about it… Huge white stone buildings, cornices, statues and fountains depicting mytholo- gical stories. The Antigone quarter, created at the end of the 80s in a classical and deliberately monu- mental architectural style, is utterly unique and associates in the eyes of all the world the name of Montpellier with that of the great Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill.
Port Marianne Latest large-scale project: Port Marianne (1992- 2010). Sea consuls, Richter, Blaise Pascal, Jardins de la Lironde and Jacques Cœur: Port Marianne comprises 5 quarters which are very different one from the other, yet they are closely linked to create a coherent urban fabric by the tramway, the river and Jacques Cœur harbour… A quintessentially contem- porary and modern quarter
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Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole TIP Make sure you visit Musée Henri Prades - Lattara Tourist Office guided tours 390, avenue de Pérols, 34970 LATTES Private mansion courtyards, medieval mikveh, An archaeological museum listed as a ‘Museum of Faculty of Medicine, way of Saint-James of Com- France’. It is located close to the Lattara archaeolo- postela... Over 30 theme visits to help you dis- gical site and offers visitors the opportunity to dis- cover Montpellier, from its origins up to today. cover the remains of the ancient city. It houses a rich Guided tour in english are also organized all along and varied archaeological collection, exhibited over the year. 1 200 m² and 3 levels, and provides a whole range of activities for all ages. Booking service: www.montpellier-france.com
Aqueduc de Castries 34160 CASTRIES A remarkable structure dtaing back to 1670, carrying water along a stretch of 6,822m to the gardens of the Château of Castries. Considered to be the biggest private hydraulic system in France.
Abbaye de Vignogoul 34570 PIGNAN This abbey is the only remaining part of a Benedic- tine the Cisterian monastery dating back ti the 12th Place Jean Jaurès century. Centre Régional d’Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation 1 place de la Liberté, 34170 CASTELNAU-LE-LEZ
Musée Hofer-Bury Château des Évêques - Avenue du Château, 34880 LAVÉRUNE
Musée municipal d’archéologie Rue de l’ancienne mairie, 34570 MURVIEL-LÈS-MONTPELLIER
Montpellier 2016 • Press contact • +33 (0)4 67 60 19 34 • +33 (0)6 89 95 59 58 • [email protected] 12 Lycée des métiers de la gastronomie, de l’hôtellerie et des tourismes Georges-Frêche
MONTPELLIER, IIMMERSION BY DESIGN
A City Hall designed by Jean Nouvel and François Fontès; tramways by Christian Lacroix; Georges Frêche High School by Massimiliano Fuksas; pierresvives by Zaha Hadid… and the brand new Nuage (Cloud) designed by Philippe Starck!
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Le Nuage (The Cloud) by Starck RBC Design Center 769 avenue Raymond Dugrand – +33 (0)4 34 48 04 80 609 avenue Raymond Dugrand – +33 (0) 4 67 02 40 24 le-nuage.fr www.rbcmobilier.com Opened on september 2014. In the center of the A global concept associated with a custom building modern area of Port Marianne next to the mirroring created by Jean Nouvel, now open in the heart of waters in front of the RBC Design Center designed new Montpellier to inspire architects, decorators by Jean Nouvel, the famous designer Starck forms a and everyone who loves know-how and fine objects. new concept for a sports and wellness center, crea- This unique place features all types of design. From ting a mix between the traditional and urban club. the world of children to the outdoors, people are A sports village with shops, restaurants, swimming invited to DREAM their daily environments, and to pool, and fitness center all located in a building pad- READ the best books and journals on creativity in the ded with giant cushions, giving it a cloud-like effect. bookstore space and discover theme-oriented exhi- La Panacée bitions, and COOK in their own style, like so many avant-garde movements. A multi-purpose space in Contemporary art Center which you can taste innovative fine foods at Pascal 14 rue de l’École de Pharmacie – +33 (0)4 67 34 59 16 Sanchez’s MIA restaurant, and learn how to create An emblematic site from Montpellier’s medical his- indoor and outdoor LIGHTING in effective and poe- tory, La Panacée has now become a place for art and tic scenarios. A place to ENHANCE the home with creation, encouraging contact across various artistic spirit; the center of creation in motion, promoting a disciplines, namely visual, written and digital arts. position of comfort, pleasure, and finesse. Also an exhibition hall, the site brings artists, the Don’t miss this unique store in France designed by public and students living in the La Panacée univer- Jean Nouvel, with lighting by Yann Kersalé. sity residence together to exchange ideas and share their inspiration. La Panacée’s resource center, bar- The new City Hall, designed restaurant and courtyard garden are also open and accessible to all. by Jean Nouvel and François Fontès Place Georges Frêche – www.montpellier.fr Designed by Jean Nouvel and François Fontès, this massive blue cubic structure sits at the intersection of the historical downtown and Montpellier’s new Port Marianne districts. A symbol of the downtown’s expansion towards the east, this new area repre- sents the emergence of the largest local urban pro- ject of the XXIst century, built on the banks of the Lez River, designed like the flagship building of a port city, as imagined by Jacques Coeur in 1440 and again by city Mayor Pagézy at the end of the XIXth century.
Le Café de La Panacée Hôtel de ville
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Carré Sainte-Anne Accommodation 2 rue Philippy - www.montpellier.fr Baudon de Mauny In a now-desacralized church, Carré Sainte-Anne 1 rue de la Carbonnerie – 34000 Montpellier +33 (0)4 67 02 21 77 - www.baudondemauny.com frequently hosts contemporary art exhibits and pre- A cross between a B&B and an intimate hotel, Bau- sents the works of young regional artists. don de Mauny is a unique and charming residence with 8 exceptional rooms right in Montpellier’s his- Pierresvives by Zaha Hadid torical center. Created in a XVIIIth century private 907 rue du Professeur Blayac - 34000 Montpellier mansion, and hailed for their brilliant contempora- +33 (0)4 67 67 30 00 ry-styled renovation, these rooms offer the best of A concrete ship-shaped building called Pierres- tradition and innovation. vives, designed by architect Zaha Hadid, the “City Other top hotels and B&Bs: Les 4 étoiles, Villa Nova, of Knowledge and Sports for All” is a multi-cultural recently redecorated Pullman Antigone, Courtyard meeting point. In addition to its multimedia library by Marriott, Crowne Plazza, and many more... and headquarters for Departmental archives, it also houses many other services open to the public, such More information on: as a sports center, exhibit gallery and an amphithea- www.montpellier-france.com ter. Hérault residents benefit all year long from tours, lectures and various types of training courses. GOOD DEAL!
ADRESS BOOK Contemporary Montpellier architecture in your pocket! Must-see! www.ot-montpellier.fr/application-montpellier-contemporain Georges Frêche Hotlier School, Itineraries, commentaries, interviews with designed by Massimiliano Fuksas architects... a mobile application available in French Odysseum – 34000 Montpellier and English to show you everything you need to To reserve : +33 (0)4 67 13 05 25 from 10am to 3pm know about contemporary Montpellier. Free down- With its curved design and exoskeleton comprised load on App Store and Google Play. 3 itineraries to of 70,000 aluminum triangles) this high school spe- discover • Along the river, to the City Hall • Large cialized in hotelier and tourism-related professions facilities on the ooutskirts of the city • In the heart of designed by Italian architect Massimiliano Fuksas Montpellier’s historical center. houses a gastronomic initiation restaurant and brasserie open to the public. DESIGN EVENTS Accommodation Domaine de Verchant***** (CF AGENDA) 1 boulevard Philippe Lamour - 34170 Castelnau-le-Lez +33 (0)4 67 07 26 00 - www.domainedeverchant.com A five-star hotel and spa, this Montpellier luxury Festival des Architectures Vives http://festivaldesarchitecturesvives.com establishment combines purist contemporary fur- nishings with the charm and character of centu- An exciting journey and architectural discovery ries-old stone. The overall layout was handled by through Montpellier’s historical downtown. Disco- architect-designer Raymond Morel, creator of the ver exceptional sites, the interior courtyards of pri- prestigious Murano and Kube hotels in Paris. Deco- vate mansions, revisited with ephemeral works by rations at Domaine de Verchant feature an Italian a generation of young architects, landscape artists accent, favoring pieces by manufacturers such as and scenographers. Poltrona, Moroso, Casa Milano, and Nanimarqui- na... At the same time, equipment and amenities are most definitely hi-tech, boasting top quality ergono- Park&Suites Arena mic designs.
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MONTPELLIER, THE FAMILY DESTINATION OF CHOICE!
An outing from which your children will return starry eyed or an affordable holiday – you no longer have to chooser. You can have both! In Montpellier, we do our utmost to ensure that a family holi- day is a memorable event for young and small alike... And that begins with a guided tour offered free of charge by the Montpellier Tourist Office to all accompanied children under the age of 18…
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Safety A zoo free of charge Montpellier city centre is pedestrianised throughout Parc zoologique du Lunaret - +33 (0)4 67 54 45 23 and offers families true peace of mind. A real advan- Lions, giraffes, zebras, bears, brightly coloured tage when you have children who sometimes forget birds and primates to die for, take your pick! Mont- to hold your hand… pellier zoo, free of charge for all visitors, provides picnic tables, unique settings for souvenir photos, Green spaces and play areas throu- and, new for 2014, a huge play area that can be used ghout the town by young and old alike. And as a finishing touch to your visit, the zoo boasts In between tourist visits, the kids will love to go and an Amazonian greenhouse – an original way to get to stretch their legs in one of the town’s many parks know Amazonian wildlife. Entrance charge. and play areas which have been designed with them in mind. Mare Nostrum Aquarium Fun transport Tramway Line 1 – Place de France station +33 (0)4 67 13 50 50 – www.aquariummarenostrum.fr Choose between the brightly coloured tram, the tiny tourist train which criss-crosses the historic centre, Mare Nostrum opened in late 2007 and in less than the open-top minibus that lets you see a different 7 years has become the leadingvisitor attraction in side of town, the taxi bike for tired little legs, and our the Hérault and themost visited paid attraction in the self-service bikes – getting around town as a family Languedoc Roussillon. You will find an endless list is child’s play! of new events, and more than 2 hours 30 minutes of visits and astonishing experiences for young and old Self-service child bike and child seat alike. More than 400 different species, 30 000 marine animals, a huge pool containing 1.8 million litres of rental water, not to mention a whole host of amazing cultu- The TAM supplies bikes especially designed for ral and educational experiences including penguin children from the age of 8, tagalongs for very small handling – an amazing day out for all the family! children and adult bikes with child seats. The best idea, if you want to explore the town safely, is to take Odysseum, leisure centre for young the cycle tracks which go, amongst other places, all the way to the sea! and old alike Tramway Line 1 – Place de France and Odysseum stations +33 (0)4 67 13 50 50 – www.centre-commercial-odysseum.com Children’s programme Ce concept unique de loisirs ravira toute la famille. Lattara Museum, to find out about archaeological 100 enseignes de marques, restaurants à thèmes et vestiges, special family paper chase every Sun- animations de loisirs tels que l’aquarium Mare Nos- day as part of the museum trail, children’s visits to trum, la patinoire Végapolis, le Planétarium Galilée, the Fabre Museum, guided tour and paper chase la salle d’escalade, etc… through the city organised by the Tourist Office, children’s theatre etc…
Train touristique
Parc zoologique de Montpellier
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Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole GOOD DEALS The seaside by the little tourist train Kids LOVE it! In the summer, families can go to the NEW beach at Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, 10 km from Guided tours of the town free of charge Montpellier by little tourist train. The train awaits parents and children at the foot of the car park and for children under the age of 18 whisks them away to enjoy a dip by the sandy beach. All guided tours organised by the Tourit Office are Just the thing to get your kids jumping up and down free of charge for accompanied children under the with impatience, ‘The train’s over there, I can see age of 18. Helping families stick to their budgets it!!’, they cry, with smiles all over their faces. The and letting parents do a little of what they want at perfect start to the holidays… And, for the record, the affordable prices. little train is free of charge. City Card offering a 50% discount for Much more than just another city children under the age of 18 destination! ree access and discounts to enjoy the city with your Families on holiday in Montpellier can also look whole family. Free, unlimited public transportation, forward to a high ropes courses and labyrinth in Vil- little tourist train, free entrance to the Amazonian leneuve-lès-Maguelone, miniature farms for child- greenhouse, discounts at the aquarium and much ren, excursions to see herds of bulls, the Haribo more! Children’s rates starting at 6,75 € sweet museum, the Mèze dinosaur park and lots of Plus d’informations page 42 other exciting attractions!
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EXE_Carte_citycard_VECT.indd 1 EXE_Carte_citycard_VECT.indd 3 EXE_Carte_citycard_VECT.indd 5 ‘Special family’ accommodation Fully furnished tourist accommodation in the city centre, seaside residences, hotel rooms with inter- connecting rooms and a kitchenette to give you a little more flexibility, and, a new addition, Ibis Style, right in the city centre, which offers a personal wel- come to all children and their teddy bears… Mont- pellier guarantees its family visitors ‘home suite home’.
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MONTPELLIER, FOR LOVERS OF FINE FOODS AND WINES
Montpellier, nestled in the heart of the largest vineyard in France, boasts a sun-drenched cuisine with fine local pro- ducts from both land and sea. Montpellier, with new starred chefs and festive events, is set to be more mouth-watering in 2016 than ever before.
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Fragrant markets Four markets, three of which are tucked away in the city centre, daily markets, and one that you simply must not miss if you want to get true flavour of local produce – Les Arceaux market, under the Aqueduct down from Place Royale du Peyrou. On Tuesday and Saturday mornings, regulars will be found cluste- ring round the farmers’ produce stalls.
Montpellier in a bottle Did you know? Les Grès de Montpellier has its own appellation and bottle. Lovers of red wine will delight in its deep red Gourmet Trail colour, its aromas of red fruits, and its mouth-filling All year round, the Montpellier Tourist Office and its powerful yet delicate flavours. partner, the Taste Guide, offer a tour of Montpellier and its shops, with wine tastings. An original intro- Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole duction to Montpellier!
Wine breaks Book on: www.montpellier-tourisme.fr If you want to be sure not to miss any of the wine- growing estates, follow the city’s Wine Trail. It will take you to different local cellars and ‘folies’ (private mansions in the countryside around Montpellier). > TIP Alternatively, you could take an excursion guided by professional wine guides, such as Montpellier Wine Tour and Instant Terroir. These excursions for indi- vidual visitors are on sale at the Montpellier Tourist Office booking office. For superb tastings and the opportunity to meet passionate winegrowers.
Les Estivales july - august THE festive event and top attraction for local resi- dents and tourists alike. On Friday evenings, from late June to early September, open-air evening events with local produce and wines. Winegrowers and producers display their produce during these evenings. Coupons can be used to taste different wines, and pair them with local produce: Etang de Thau oysters, Pélardon goats’ cheese, Lucques olives, cold meats, etc…
Vines have been cultivated all around Montpellier since ancient times. In the 19th century, Montpel- lier built its considerable wealth on winegrowing. In addition to square Planchon (Montpellier and the entire world owe Planchon a debt for his treat- ment against phylloxera), the properties on place de la Comédie abound with interesting architectural details that pay tribute to this glorious winegrowing past. Keep your eyes open!
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BE SURE TO GO GOURMET EVENTS
And remember to take home with you a few culinary (CF AGENDA) treats from Montpellier: Grisettes de Montpellier, tiny round sweets flavoured with honey and liquorice, Pavés Les Estivales Saint Roch, delicious spicy chocolates and Ecussons july - august - Esplanade Charles de Gaulle de Montpellier with chocolate, almonds and honey.. www.montpellier.fr THE festive event and top attraction for local resi- dents and tourists alike. On Friday evenings, from late June to early September, open-air evening events with local produce and wines. Winegrowers and producers display their produce during these evenings. Coupons can be used to taste different wines, and pair them with local produce: Etang de Thau oysters, Pélardon goats’ cheese, Lucques olives, cold meats, etc… Every friday night
Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole Ode to local products Tomato festival in Clapiers, Honey festival in Cour- nonsec, Olive festival in Pignan, truffle festival in Saint Geniès des Mourgues, Wine festival in Mont- pellier throughout the area… The Montpellier terri- tory is, more than ever, an ode to local products and a special lifestyle.
Olive oil tasting
Pélardon tasting
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MONTPELLIER, A LAND OF TRADITION AND CREATION
The 8th largest city in France, Montpellier is at the cutting edge of innovation and has yet been able to hold into its charm and enjoyable lifestyle, which you will enjoy disco- vering and rediscovering. A place for encounters and crea- tion, the city takes you out to meet impassioned artists and discover timeless ancestral traditions as alive today as they always have been. A city, a territory, a spirit.
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Montpellier, one of the cradles lain objects from the XVIIIth and XIXth centuries), for violin-making in France and at the Cabrières-Sabatier d’Espeyran mansion, which has now become the Fabre Museum’s decora- Violin-making has grown significantly over the past tive arts collection. 25 years. With ten violin shops in a city of 250,000 people, Montpellier is the leading city in France in NEW this field, and is considered one of the world’s high- places outside the Italian city of Cremona. This La NEF includes internationally-recognized violin-makers, www.ateliersdart.com such as Montpellier luthiers with shops in the New exhibition center of Les Ateliers d’Art de Sainte-Anne district, Nicolas Gilles and Yann Pou- Francen right in the historic centre of Montpellier, lain. the Chapelle de la Visitation has been superbly restored and transformed into a showcase for the Saint Roch Workshops craft professions. Named La Nef (the nave) with www.ateliers-st-roch.com reference to the architecture of this former place of worship, this 300m² space will display all the vitality 17 creators in the Saint-Roch district invite you in of contemporary crafts. to discover their boutique workshops and their contemporary creations based on traditional exper- tise: stylists, jewels and jewelry, furriers, potters, glass-work, leather- and paper-based creations... AGENDA
Agora, International Dance Center Artist workshop tour www.montpellierdanse.com http://briscarts.com/ The Agora International Dance Center opened in “Les Briscarts”, an association of Montpellier fine October 2010 in the Montpellier city center. A unique artists, organizes two artist workshop tours each place in France and all of Europe entirely dedicated year, one in the spring, the other in autumn. The to creating and presenting dance events, Agora is public is welcomed in these special places where where people come together and exchange ideas, a painters, sculptors, photographers, and others, typi- meeting point for the public, artists and creations, cally isolate themselves from the world. Over forty making Montpellier and the Agglomération area a artists participate, mostly in downtown Montpellier. dance capital and cultural high spot in Europe. “ZAT” (Temporary Artistic Zones) Ancestral traditions http://zat.montpellier.fr/ Alongside the modern image of Languedoc’s capital A different way to explore the city: temporary artistic city, the traditions and customs of yesteryear conti- zones offer shows and other urban surprises, artis- nue to thrive. From spring to autumn, the Montpellier tic events for one, two, three or four days somewhere area and outlying villages are lively with Camargue in the city (a whole district or a particular neighbo- bull runs and numerous festivities, including tradi- rhood, but most of all in unexpected places). Dance, tional tambourin games, a stone festival in Beaulieu, theater, performances, lighting, visual arts, films, and much more. Discover these events and have a street art, a funky ball beneath the stars, on-site good time experiencing the typical village ambiance creations... of years past.
Montpellier porcelain The art of making porcelain is an ancient tradition in Montpellier. It began in the late XVIth century, with development directly tied to the major role of medi- cine in Montpellier. A Royal workshop was founded in Montpellier in 1725, leaving marks of its activity that can still be seen in Montpellier today. A tradi- tion that you can discover at the Pharmacy Museum, Chapelle de la Miséricorde (with nearly 300 porce-
Agora, Cité internationale de la danse
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MONTPELLIER, THINKS GREEN
Green as in… golf! Montpellier, a city destination, also has much to offer nature lovers with its city gardens, unspoiled green spaces and the opportunity to play golf only a few kilometres from the heart of the town.
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Montpellier, green city Unspoiled green spaces With 741 hectares of natural public areas, including Nature lovers will find within the metropolitan area 412 ha municipal space and 393 ha of protected of Montpellier all they could desire in terms of pris- woodlands, Montpellier is most definitely a green tine green spaces. city. Its richness is derived from the diversity of the > Lunaret zoo open spaces dedicated to Montpellier strolls (his- This zoo, which stretches over 80 hectares of land, torical XIXth century parks, large natural areas...) is Montpellier’s largest green space. It is also the and from the biological wealth provided by the flora largest zoo in France… and, what’s more, it is free of and fauna, protected in many places. Among the charge! (cf page 20) places you must see are the Jardin de Plantes bota- nical gardens, a peaceful and romantic setting, and France’s first Royal Garden created in 1593. Mont- Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole pellier’s “Folies” (mansions among the leaves) also > Animal Reserve Méjean offer visitors magnificent gardens. Be sure to see The reserve is right in the heart of the commune of both types of “Folies”: mansions of the fields, such Lattes, and its riverbanks are particularly rich on as Flaugergues, Mogère and Engarran; and man- account of their diverse patchwork of different habi- sions of the city, such as Hôtel Haguenot. People who tats: reed beds, salt marshes, ponds, wooded areas enjoy painting will particularly appreciate Parc de – the perfect place to go for a walk through nature Méric and its fabulous flowered fields... landscapes at its greenest. It offers well-marked walking paths that can also be found today in works by Montpellier and organises events for all the family. painter Frédéric Bazille at the Fabre Museum. For > Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone Cathedral those who appreciate modern architecture, don’t miss the walk along the Lez River, heading south Romanesque Maguelone Cathedral, tucked away towards the Jacques Coeur lagoon and the Charpak on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea on an island park... planted with vines and hundred-year-old pines, has been inhabited since ancient times. Maguelone Cathedral and the island with its fine sandy beaches are simply not to be missed. The cathedral is a his- toric monument built in Romanesque style and was the seat of the bishopric for a thousand years. It is nestled in the heart of an island of greenery, in a park, surrounded by vines, between the sea and the lake. The Domaine de Maguelone is located in a protected coastal area, with a wealth of birdlife.
Étangs et vignes de Villeneuve lès Maguelone
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Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole Golf break A city break and a golf break on the same trip? When Golf and spa break you come to Montpellier, you can do just that! Two Each of our golf clubs has entered into a partner- international golf clubs at less than 15 minutes drive ship with a neighbouring spa, to give golfers the from the centre of Montpellier offer visitors the pos- opportunity to completely unwind. Golfers at sibility to enjoy a round of golf for the day, or if they Fontcaude will enjoy the opportunity to relax right want to stay a little bit longer, they can find accom- next to the course at the Vichy Spa, and to dine at modation at the clubs themselves. the Comptoir de Fontcaude, a bistro run by by Chefs Jacques and Laurent Pourcel. > Massane Golf Club A 15-minute drive from Montpellier in the commune of Baillargues Montpellier Massane Golf Club, designed by Californian architect, Ronald Fream, celebra- ted its 20th anniversary in 2008. It is an excep- tionally well designed 18-hole golf course with top-quality greens – golfers cannot fail to find it a lot of fun to play. There is also the Écureuil com- pact nine-hole golf course and a Golf Centre which is ideal for golfers whatever their ability. . http://www.massane.com/golf-montpellier/ >Fontcaude Golf Club A 10-minute drive from Montpellier in the commune of Juvignac The ‘International’ 18-hole golf course, desig- ned by New Zealand architect Chris Pittman in 1991 on 80 hectares of garrigue, offers an inte- resting challenge for players whatever their abi- lity. It is technically challenging course and its greens are reputed for their quality and high speed. http://www.montpellierresort.com/ag/golf/
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For several years now, Montpellier has successfully diversi- fied into language holidays; it is now the French city with the greatest number of language schools. Montpellier is parti- cularly well placed to offer language services in this boo- ming niche tourism market.
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A niche tourism market Not to mention its fame as a university city! Montpellier is the 2nd most important city in France From its earliest days, Montpellier has taken pride for learning French as a foreign language, with in being a melting pot for people and knowledge. It around 20 FFL language courses teaching 10 000 is also taken pride in its university traditions which students a year who stay for around 150 000 nights brought it fame as early as the 13th century (Mont- a year. pellier has the first School of Medicine in Europe still to be active). Still today, Montpellier’s universities, These schools offer language courses at all levels, such as Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3, are a beacon of from beginners to advanced, and well-structured, excellence to students worldwide. The ERASMUS comprehensive, top-quality language teaching. and SOCRATES programmes, which allow foreign They offer a wide range of courses and training pro- students to spend a study year in France, are an grammes, extending from general French language important potential source of growth for language courses to specialist courses on topics such as busi- schools in Montpellier; students choose Montpellier ness and gastronomy. Real-life role-plays, regional for the quality of its university teaching, and they wine tastings, cookery classes, sport, voluntary perfect their command of French in smaller groups work, personal assistance – language schools in in the city’s language schools. Montpellier combine language learning and getting to know the local area, and their provision is suitable for all levels and particular interests. Language Holidays Club In order to make the most of the language holiday Montpellier as a FFL destination: a well- niche tourism market, the TO and the FFL schools deserved success have joined forces to promote Montpellier as a world-class destination, and to offer the language > The town itself students a very warm welcome. Every year, the city Montpellier enjoys a very positive world image. It has puts on a very special event just for these newly wel- built up a strong reputation over recent years and comed residents of Montpellier. benefited from media visibility through major spor- Further information at ting events such as the Rugby World Cup, the Inter- www.montpellier-france.com national Extreme Sports Festival, the Battle of the Year; a superb quality of life, 300 days of sunshine per year, proximity both to the beach and the ‘moun- tains’ (Cévennes / Pic St Loup) all add to its many attractions; of course people want to study French, but they want to have a good time as well.
> A growing young population The population of Montpellier is younger than the population in France as a whole Young people under the age of 25 make up 36.6% of the population in Montpellier, as opposed to 34.1% nationally. Montpellier is a bustling city with a vibrant cultural life and lots of bars and cafes – it is pulsating with life, and that is the secret of its success!
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MONTPELLIER, 6TH LARGEST CONFERENCE DESTINATION IN FRANCE
Montpellier, with almost 57% of its overnight hotel stays for business purposes, is more than ever before a leading busi- ness tourism destination.
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With a Conference Centre in the city A business enabler conference office centre The Montpellier Tourist Office conference office was Montpellier, the 6th largest conference destination launched in September 2012. It offers a range of in France, has become a world-class destination services free of charge to organisers of conferences, for business tourism with its first-rate infrastruc- meetings, conventions and business events. ture right in the city centre. It can offer the Corum www.montpellier-france.com with its Conference Centre and Berlioz Opera House,
the international airport nearby, the Parc des Expo- Did you know? sitions for large events, and the Zénith and the Park&Suites Arenas. Montpellier attracts large numbers of national and international conferences, including: These three venue spaces, which have shared the Montpellier Events banner since 1991, host more National Convention of Lawyers, 2014 than 500 major events every year attracting more 3 500 participants than 1 million visitors. Meeting of the French Neuroscience Society, 2015 1 300 participants expected A rich diversity of hotel accommodation International Congress on Thrombosis and Hae- With more than 8 800 hotel rooms available in the mostasis, 2016 local area, Montpellier offers a wide range of dif- 2 500 participants expected. ferent kinds of accommodation. Our hotels offer a genuine variety of amenities to suit all needs and expectations; chain hotels, contemporary design or the charm of yesteryear… from unclassified to four- star, at the seaside, in the surrounding countryside or the city centre. Montpellier caters for everyone!
Easy access Montpellier is a genuine gateway to southern Europe, midway between Provence and Catalonia, enjoying a strategic position right in the heart of the Mediterranean arc. Montpellier Saint Roch TGV rai- lway station in the city centre, Montpellier Mediter- ranean international airport a 10-minute drive from the city centre, and access to motorways (A9 to Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Spain and Italy and the A75 to Paris). (Cf page 44)
Mixing business with pleasure In addition to its purpose-built business tourism infrastructure, Montpellier enjoys a delightful set- ting – perfect for mixing working meetings and lei- sure. World-class hotel facilities, some of the best restaurants in France, a rich and varied cultural season… not to mention a quality of life that makes us the envy of many: the peace and quiet of a pedes- trianised town, lots of parks and gardens in the city centre, a balmy climate in incomparable geogra- phical surroundings.
*Source ICCA International Congress & Convention Association
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AGENDA
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JANUARY NEW Montpellier Esport Show Créativa Montpellier 25 - 26 february - Arena Montpellier 19 -22 january- Parc des Expositions de Montpellier www.sportcoll.com www.creativa-montpellier.fr Entirely dedicated to «DIY», Créativa is a 4-day event MARCH full of creativity, discovery and inspiration! This trade fair is for all craft lovers featuring 5 different worlds: Marathon Montpellier sewing and thread art, creative hobbies, creative 19 march cooking, beauty and DIY decor. http://marathonmontpellier.fr/r
France Handball 2017 Festival Tropisme 21 - 24 january - Arena Montpellier 30 march - 2 april http://www.francehandball2017.com www.tropismefestival.fr 25th IHF men’s world championship. The 100%, a major event for new music in Langue- doc-Roussillon, has turned into TROPISME, a festi- Christian Film Festival val of innovation and creation of digital music. 21 - 30 january http://chretiensetcultures.free.fr APRIL This festival aims to generate a Christian and human look at filmmaking. Guests will have a chance to meet and talk with directors during the festival. ZAT (Temporary Artistic Zones) 22 - 23 avril - Montpellier VINISUD http://zat.montpellier.fr/ Mediterranean wines trade fair The ZAT, Temporary Artistic Zones, are provisional urban shows and artistic surprises lasting one, two, 29 - 31 january - Parc des Expositions de Montpellier www.vinisud.com three or four days and taking place in an area of the city, a district. All kinds of artistic practice are pres- VINISUD is the showcase for the world’s leading ented: sculpture, painting, video, dance, music, cir- wine region, the Mediterranean, which on its own cus, acting… From 2010 to 2020, the ZAT will regu- accounts for more than 50% of world output. larly take place in Montpellier in the public area. Each event brings together the majority of Medi- terranean wine producers and professional buyers MAY from every continent, thereby helping to open the Mediterranean up to new markets for wine. Urban Trail Nocturne 6 may FEBRUARY www.urban-trail-montpellier.com
Open Sud de France BOTY France 6 may - Zénith de Montpellier 5 - 12 february - Park&Suites Arena www.attitudeasso.com www.opensuddefrance.com This famous indoor tennis tournament will once The national Hip Hop championship is taking place again provide tennis fans with a great show combing once again in Montpellier where the best French a high-level sports competition and an entertaining break-dancers will go head to head in crazy dance match. battles. The winner will represent France at the international competition! NEW Sportcoll 5 - 12 february - Arena Montpellier www.sportcoll.com
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Les Boutographies presence of approximately 30 transalpine authors. 6 -28 may - La Panacée As always, there will be meet and greets, activities, www.boutographies.com workshops on general literature, children’s litera- ture, comics and more. Narrative photos, conceptual photos, documen- taries… with increasingly high criteria and a bold selection of images in this growing space being JUNE given to emerging artists, the Boutographies photography festival is winning an audience that Le Printemps des Comédiens is insatiable for new experiences and keenly june - Domaine d’O www.printempsdescomediens.com interested in contemporary photography and its means of expression. This extremely popular and varied festival stages outstanding performances of all kinds. Theater Saperlipopette events, circus entertainment, and world culture. may - Domaine d’O and Montpellier surroundings www.domaine-do-34.eu Festival des Architectures Vives Combining theater, music, dance, circus, street 13 - 18 june - Montpellier historic centre 17 - 25 june - La Grande Motte arts, and arts & crafts, all the disciplines of perfor- http://festivaldesarchitecturesvives.com/ ming arts are presented in this festival designed to The historic city center is taken over by epheme- delight children and their parents! An enchanting ral contemporary architecture. This festival is an festival! opportunity to discover the interior courtyards of certain historical mansions in the city center while Arabesques following an architectural theme trail. 12 - 13 may - Domaine d’O and Montpellier www.festivalarabesques.fr La Montpellier Reine Arabesques is the only festival in Europe dedicated 18 june - Race start’s: Jardins du Peyrou to Arabics arts. Music, theatre, tails, poetry, movie, www.montpellier-reine.org fine arts… the main goal of the festival is to show the richness and the diversity of Arabic culture. Festival des fanfares Organized by Uni’sons. 30 june - 1 july - Boutonnet and Beaux-Arts districts http://festivalfanfare.free.fr FISE, InternationalExtrem Sports Beaux Arts and Boutonnet quarters get to enjoy Festival - 20th edition the rhythm and sounds of some fifteen fanfare 24 - 28 may - Rives du Lez bands over the course of the day. Joyful and festive www.fise.fr ambiance guaranteed ! The greatest riders from all over the world will be present on inline skates, BMX bikes, wakeboards, Festival International skateboards, and slopestyle mountain bikes at this Montpellier Danse 18th FISE, the largest extreme sports gathering in june - july - Montpellier and surroundings Europe. Top DJs will take turns at the turntable www.montpellierdanse.com during the five days of competition for an atmos- Montpellier has welcomed over 300 dance compa- phere that’s sure to be electric! nies from all over the world as part of this festival, a fascinating extension to the rich dance season The European Night of Museums that takes possession of the city for nearly ten 20 may days, with three to ten shows daily. www.nuitdesmusees.culture.fr
Comédie du livre 19 - 21 may - Esplanade Charles De Gaulle www.comediedulivre.montpellier.fr For it’s 32nd edition, the Comédie du Livre will honour Greek and Mediterranean literature in the
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JULY AUGUST
Les Estivales Fête de la saint Roch 16 august - Montpellier july - august - Esplanade Charles de Gaulle www.st-roch.com www.montpellier.fr Guided tours on the topic of Saint Roch with Mont- THE festive event and top attraction for local resi- pellier Tourist Office guides, processions, exhibi- dents and tourists alike. On Friday evenings, from tions of relics and Saint Roch’s staff, plus liturgical late June to early September, open-air evening and street events, a visit of Saint Roch’s well (the events with local produce and wines. Winegrowers house where he was born) and distribution of water and producers display their produce during these to pilgrims. evenings. Coupons can be used to taste different wines, and pair them with local produce: Etang de Thau oysters, Pélardon goats’ cheese, Lucques Les Estivales olives, cold meats, etc… Every friday night july - august - Esplanade Charles de Gaulle www.montpellier.fr Festival Radio France et Montpellier Occitanie SEPTEMBER 10 - 28 july - Montpellier et Languedoc-Roussillon www.festivalradiofrancemontpellier.com Les Internationales de la Guitare The Radio France and Montpellier Languedoc-Rous- september - october www.les-ig.com sillon Festival is unique, offering an eclectic and daring musical programming with more than 200 The only event of its kind in Europe, this interna- events. Originally presented as a classical music fes- tional guitar festival reveals the infinite wealth of tival, it has consistently stood out from the crowd by this instrument. The festival is eclectic and popular, expanding its offer to include different kinds of music: offering attendees a series of exceptional musical opera, symphony, jazz or electronic music, as well as encounters. conferences, magazines, films and master-classes. 90% of the events are free. The concerts take place OCTOBER in Montpellier and all over the Languedoc-Roussillon territory. Cinemed, International Ticket on montpellier-france.com Mediterranean film festival october, Corum Marche des Diversités www.cinemed.tm.fr Lesbian & Gay Pride 38th edition of this festival dedicated to films from the july - Montpellier Mediterranean area and Black Sea countries. The www.montpellier.fr second largest film festival in France, after Cannes, Cinemed offers film projections accompanied by numerous debates and theme-oriented evenings.
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NOVEMBER
Fête des vignes de Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole november - Esplanade Charles de Gaulle www.montpellier3m.fr The esplanade Charles de Gaulle is transformed into a wine makers’ village, with more than 40 wine pro- ducers from the Montpellier Agglomération area. Visitors are invited to taste wines and discover the quality and diversity of local products in a friendly and festive atmosphere.
DECEMBER
Les Hivernales December - Esplanade Charles de Gaulle www.montpellier.fr Experience the magic of a Mediterranean Christmas market in southern France and discover regional specialties in a fun and festive atmosphere .
Montpellier 2016 • Press contact • +33 (0)4 67 60 19 34 • +33 (0)6 89 95 59 58 • [email protected] 35 AGENDA
EXHIBITIONS
FABRE MUSEUM PAVILLON POPULAIRE OF MONTPELLIER Esplanade Charles de Gaulle www.montpellier.fr MÉDITERRANÉE MÉTROPOLE Awaiting for information Fabre Museum of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole www.museefabre.fr CARRÉ SAINTE-ANNE
L’Art et la Matière, galerie de sculp- www.montpellier.fr
tures à toucher / Gallery of sculp- Awaiting for information tures to touch 10 december 2016 – 28 may 2017 ESPACE DOMINIQUE BAGOUET L’Art et la Matière proposes an innovative concept in Esplanade Charles de Gaulle order to offer access to all sculptures by means of www.montpellier.fr a tactile device (castings) as well as multi-sensory interpretation spaces especially for the youngest Awaiting for information (dedicated space).
Summer exhibition Francis Bacon/Bruce Nauman, Face à face / Face to face 1st july - 5 november The Fabre Museum Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole once again joins the Center Pompidou on the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of its crea- tion, in order to present an unprecedented exhibition dedicated to two major artists of the twentieth cen- tury: Francis Bacon and Bruce Nauman. This event will also celebrate the 10th anniversary of the reopening of the Fabre Museum. The curator will be assured by Cécile Debray, Chief Heritage Cura- tor in charge of modern collections at the National Museum of Modern Art / Center Pompidou, and Michel Hilaire, General Curator of Heritage, Musée Fabre Director. The confrontation of these two works that the facility would tend to oppose - painting versus installation and video, the English figurative tradition in the face of the American underground scene, expressionism and minimalism - allows us to renew in depth, to revive even The look at these two great artists of the twentieth century.
Montpellier 2016 • Press contact • +33 (0)4 67 60 19 34 • +33 (0)6 89 95 59 58 • [email protected] 36 AGENDA
LA PANACÉE LATTARA ARCHAEOLOGI-
www.montpellier.fr CAL SITE – HENRI PRADES
Retour sur Mulholand MUSEUM 27 january - 23 april Writings of Ancient Egypt 9 July 2016 – 2 January 2017 John Block et Interstellar An exhibition co-produced by the Lattara archaeo- 20 may - 27 august logical site and the Henri Prades Museum, with the scientific cooperation of the ENM (Nilotic and A la découverte de Jacques Charlier et Mediterranean Egypt) team at Archimede LabEx Saâsane Afif (Archaeology and History of the Ancient Mediter- October ranean and Egypt Laboratory of Excellence) at Paul Valéry University of Montpellier 3. The exhibition is backed by this scientific partnership and exceptional loans from the Louvre Museum. The museographic tour of some 60 pieces, illustra- ting how diverse the materials and rich the writings of Ancient Egypt, will be chronological and thematic.
Montpellier 2016 • Press contact • +33 (0)4 67 60 19 34 • +33 (0)6 89 95 59 58 • [email protected] 37 PRACTICAL MONTPELLIER
GUIDED TOURS FROM 8 TO 20€ MONTPELLIER-FRANCE.COM
Montpellier Tourist Office offers guided tours all year long, with experienced guides who can give you pri- The official website of Montpellier vileged access to the city’s most prestigious monu- Tourist Office ments. 2hours cover 1,000 years of history and so Must-see places and events in Montpellier, event much of what you need to know about Montpellier. calendar. Suggestions of tours based on your desires From 7 €. Historical center: every Wednesday, and interests, as well as a set of videos about Mont- Saturday, and Sunday. Every day during school pellier as a destination. holidays. Theme visits: following a quarterly schedule available at Montpellier Tourist Office. English guided tours are also provided. Free documentation downloads Tourist maps (SEE), brochures, Montpellier City Card, learning French in Montpellier and guided tour Three monthly program and booking service: schedule. All these documents may be viewed on- Montpellier Tourist Office line and downloaded. +33 (0)4 67 60 19 27 www.montpellier-france.com Our booking online center Montpellier Tourist Office official on-line booking service, with its built-in dynamic shopping cart, MONTPELLIER CITY CARD offers accommodations, guided tours, transporta- tion, the Montpellier City Card, entry tickets, excur- Available for 24, 48, or 72 hours, Montpellier City sions and weekend packages. Card includes free or reduced admission for a wide Unlike with other booking services, the Montpellier variety of things to see and do, from museum tours Tourist Office actually knows the professionals it and leisure activities to performances and public recommends, an ongoing guarantee of quality. The transportation. choice is yours! From 13,50€, on sale all year round at the Montpel- lier Tourist Office and www.montpellier-france.com
Montpellier 2016 • Press contact • +33 (0)4 67 60 19 34 • +33 (0)6 89 95 59 58 • [email protected] 38 KEY FIGURES
TOP 5 NATIONALITIES • 1st population growth in France According to INSEE (2013 figures) in hotels in the nd • 2 city for learning French as a foreign lan- metropolitan area: guage 1 - United Kingdom th • 6 congress city in France 2 - Spain 3 - Germany NUMBER OF INHABITANTS 4 - USA
Montpellier has 268 456 habitants, which makes it 5 - Italy the 8th largest city in France. It has the highest demo- graphic growth in France and 50% of its population is under the age of 34. Every month, it receives more NUMBER OF BEDS than 300 new arrivals. This same growth can be seen 36 000 beds in the metropolitan area in commercial in all of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole (31 accommodation* (including 10 000 beds in the hotel ** communes): 434 101 inhabitants . sector).
ANNUAL NUMBER OF VISITORS 3 MOST-VISITED SITES IN Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole receives MONTPELLIER annually: 5 100 000 visitors* .Of these, 892 787 stay in a hotel**. 1 - Lunaret ZOO and Amazonian Greenhouse 2 - Mare Nostrum Aquarium 3 - The Fabre Museum of ‘Montpellier Méditerra- AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY née Métropole’ The average length of a hotel stay in the metropoli- tan area is 1.7 days **.
*Estimation Office de Tourisme ** Source INSEE année 2013
Office de Tourisme de Montpellier, décembre 2012 © OTM, Musée Fabre de Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, Marie Caroline Lucat, Ville de Montpellier, Anatome/Cécil Mathieu, Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, Alexis Lautier/Conseil Général 34, FISE, La Diligence, Tamarillos, Château de Flaugergues, OTM/Gilles Deschamps, Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier/Marc Ginot, Domaine de Verchant, CG34/A. Lautier, Julie Noclerc, Fotolia - KFH/Beatriz Azorin - Marie Caroline Lucat - Lallemand, Wallis - Stylisme et bijoux : Soon et Sapsak Montpellier - Murat Paris - ADT Hérault - fotolia/ JM Jardinier - Graphic Obsession/L Doss Fancy - DR, Anatome/Marc Ginot, ADT/S. Lucchese, Berlioz/L.Martorell - Steven Morlier
Montpellier 2016 • Press contact • +33 (0)4 67 60 19 34 • +33 (0)6 89 95 59 58 • [email protected] 39 ACCESS
By plane
Montpellier is easy to reach directly by plane from Paris (1hr10 min), London (1hr45 min) and Frankfurt (1hr30 min). Amster- dam, Brussels, and Madrid. Just 1hr30 min driving from Montpellier, Marseille Airport offers flights to many international destinations. The Montpellier International Airport is just 8km from the city center, with easy access on regular shuttle service. Further information at www.montpellier.aeroport.fr
Direct domestic flights: Direct flights in Europe: International direct flights: NEW: Bastia, Lille NEW: London Heathrow (UK) • Alger (Algeria) • Ajaccio NEW: Palma (Spain) • Oran (Algeria) • Bordeaux • Amsterdam (Nederland) • Casablanca (Morocco) • Brest • Fès (Morocco) • Lyon • Bassel/Mulhouse (Swiss) • Nantes • Brussel-Charleroi (Belgium) • Nador (Morocco) • Paris Orly • Copenhagen (Denmark) • Marrakech (Morocco) • Paris Roissy • Tanger (Morocco) • Strasbourg • Dublin (Irland) • Dusseldorf (Germany) • Frankfurt Hahn (Germany) • Frankfurt International (Germany) • Leeds Bradford (UK) • London Gatwick (UK • London Luton (UK) • Rotterdam (Nederland)
By train Montpellier Saint-Roch train station right downtown, offering direct access from Paris-Gare de Lyon and Charles de Gaulle Airport (3hrs15 min); from Lille (4 hrs45 min), Nantes, Rennes, and Brussels (5 hrs 08 min). Further information at www.sncf.com
By car Montpellier is accessible via major motorways: A9 (Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Spain, and Italy) and A75 (Paris). Further information at www.asf.fr
Montpellier 2016 • Press contact • +33 (0)4 67 60 19 34 • +33 (0)6 89 95 59 58 • [email protected] 40 WHERE TO FIND US
ON THE WEB #MONTPELLIERNOW ON SOCIAL NETWORK www.montpellier-france.com Must-see places and events in Montpellier, event Montpelliernow on Facebook calendar. Suggestions of tours based on your desires All our general news! www.facebook.com/ and interests, as well as a set of videos about Mont- MontpellierMediterranee pellier as a destination. Montpelliernow on Twitter Free documentation downloads : tourist maps, News from our press room! brochures, Montpellier City Card, learning French https://twitter.com/montpelliernow in Montpellier and guided tour schedule. All these documents may be viewed on-line and downloaded. Montpelliernow on Instagram Share your pictures of Montpellier! http://instagram.com/montpelliernow Press room Press kit, paper ideas, pictures library, key figures, Montpelliernow on Flipboard To know everything about Montpellier! newsletters... everything to help you to organize your report. http://presse.montpellier-tourisme.fr/ Montpelliernow on You Tube Our movies! www.youtube.com/MontpellierTourisme WHEN YOU’RE HERE
Getting information Open 7 days a week, the Montpellier Tourist Office is located right in the heart of the city, on the Place de la Comédie/ Esplanade Charles de Gaulle (Comédie tramway stop). Our multilingual advisors are ready to help visitors by providing all kinds of information about the area. Ticket service - Montpellier City Card - guided tours. PRESS CONTACT
For futher information or question: Aline COUQUET-CHOUICHOU +33 (0)4 67 60 19 34 / +33 (0)6 89 95 59 58
Montpellier 2016 • Press contact • +33 (0)4 67 60 19 34 • +33 (0)6 89 95 59 58 • [email protected] 41 MONTPELLIER
Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole Tourist Office & Convention Bureau Place de la Comédie 30, allée Jean de Lattre de Tassigny F-34000 Montpellier Tél : +33 (0)4 67 60 60 60 [email protected]
Tourist Information Centers Lattes : +33 (0)4 67 22 52 91 - [email protected] Castries : +33 (0)4 67 52 04 24 - [email protected] Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone : seasonal office
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Montpellier 2016 • Press contact • +33 (0)4 67 60 19 34 • +33 (0)6 89 95 59 58 • [email protected]