Montpellier is the southern capital of France, Paris in miniature, and a town of sunshine, with 360 days of sun each year. What to do in the other five, I will tell you on my excursion.
The city's history dates back to the 10th century when it was called Monte Pestelario, literally meaning “the mountain of coloring herbs”. Here, for the first time in history, people learned to put the blue to the wool, the first medical faculty was established, where the famous French writer François Rabelais studied, and Nostradamus predicted the future of global events. Perhaps he foresaw that centuries later, Montpellier would be named Europe's top city for emerging culture.
The historical part of the city is called Écusson. That means “shield” in French and the old town's map resembles a shield, featuring narrow medieval streets where Gothic, Renaissance, and Haussmannian styles live together like in Paris.
For example, the Opéra Comédie theatre on the city's main square was built by a student of Charles Garnier, the architect of the Paris Opera. Meanwhile, the triumphal arch reminds us of the silhouette of the capital's one.
Montpellier used to be a crossroads of trade routes, selling silk, spices, and precious stones. Pilgrims stopped here on their way to Santiago de Compostela, one of the main shrines of the Christian world.
The city became a hub for trading medicinal plants and pharmaceutical goods, which eventually led to the founding of one of Europe’s oldest faculties of medicine.
Montpellier's largest architectural structure, the Saint Peter’s Cathedral, was both a fortress and a religious center, supporting the nearby medical faculty. Close to the cathedral, there were often monastery hospitals and medical institutions where doctors practiced and where Europe’s first anatomical theatre was established.
Today, the city is home to more than 90,000 students, many of whom attend the same medical faculty where Nostradamus taught, François Rabelais, and the world-famous Petrarch studied.
Montpellier attracts travelers from around the world with its blend of ancient charm and modernity, proximity to the sea with its endless white-sand beaches, ancient winemaking traditions, and excellent cuisine.
This city offers the intimate and cozy atmosphere of southern France with a subtle sophistication of Paris: you will find antique street lamps, carved oak doors that haven’t changed in over a century, only lovingly restored, squares with fountains and charming cafés on them, tucked among medieval streets, and beautiful sycamores under which you can relax in the evening with a glass of wine.
Welcome to this little Paris!
Tour Cost:
Full Tour: Montpellier and Local Wineries (6-8 hours) – €500. Designed for 1-4 people.
Sightseeing Tour of the Historic Center of Montpellier (3 hours) – €250.
Admission tickets to museums and lunch are not included in the tour price and must be paid separately.
Starting Point of the Tour:
Place de la Comédie, in front of the "Three Graces" fountain.
