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. Montpellier 2016 • Press contact • +33 (0)4 67 60 19 34 • +33 (0)6 89 95 59 58 • [email protected] 5 MONTPELLIER, ONE OF THE TOP 10 FOR SUCCESSFUL HOLIDAYS 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.