Montpellier really is a special place; and I’m not saying it because I was born in Montpellier.
It´s a very seductive city in south of France, elegant and cultured. It has broad boulevards lined with shady plane trees, a huge car-free central square laid out in the 1700s, surrounded by ornate buildings.
And, it´s just minutes away from the beach!
When I am in Montpellier, i always start the day with a coffee. The most famous spot for that is Place de la Comedie.
But in general, I prefer a more quiet place. If I don´t have much time, besides Place de la Comedie there is a nice coffee shop, Cafe Bibal, known especially for its terrace. And if I have more time on my hands, my choice always goes to Place de la Canourgue. This square was the center of Montpellier in 17C and a number of old houses remain standing around the garden with its unicorn fountain: the hôtel Richer de Belleval, the hôtel de Cambacérès and the hôyel du Sarret; also called the “Shell House”.
And the old part of Montpellier is all pedestrian! So it´s a pleasure to “flaner” in these little full of boutiques and bookstores. For lunch, my first choice would be the nice restaurant Les Bains, behind the Opera. also in summer, I specially love its courtyard.
While in the afternoon, I would go to the Musée Fabre. It´s the main museum of Montpellier, founded in 1825 by painter François-Xavier Fabre, this exceptional museum houses one of France’s richest collections of European art.
It´s a university city and cultured,therefor there is always something going on by day or by night.