Montpellier: A Sunny Gem in Southern France

In mid-April, we embarked on a two-week transatlantic cruise from Port Everglades, Florida, to Barcelona, Spain. Since we'd already explored Barcelona on a previous trip—and hotel prices were especially steep this time—we decided to skip the city and head straight to southern France by bus.

We'd always wanted to visit Provence, so this was the perfect opportunity to explore its charming villages, medieval architecture, and beautiful countryside. Our cruise had ended, but a new adventure was just beginning. 

Our first stop was Montpellier. While it isn't in Provence proper, Montpellier sits just west of the region and makes a convenient gateway to Avignon, our next stop. Before planning this trip, we'd barely heard of Montpellier, but it turned out to be a delightful surprise. A lively university town with a rich history, Montpellier is home to the oldest medical school in France. Who knew?

The medieval-looking medical school

We found the people to be especially friendly. My husband, who studied French from first grade, was a bit rusty after not speaking it for years. As we puzzled over Montpellier's tram routes, a kind local came over and pointed us in the right direction.

Colorful tram

One of Montpellier's top attractions is the Jardin des Plantes, the city's botanical garden. We took the tram there, only to discover it didn't open until noon. While waiting, we wandered around and stumbled upon the University of Montpellier's Faculty of Medicine, housed in a striking medieval-looking building.

Narrow, winding streets led us to Place de la Canourgue, where we stopped for coffee.  

coffee break at a cafe in Place de la Canourgue

From there, we walked to the Arc de Triomphe. A flea market had been in full swing earlier that morning and was just packing up as we arrived.

Arc de Triomphe

Aqueduc Saint-Clément

The aqueduct—an engineering marvel that continues to amaze us.

Promenade du Peyrou

Place de la Comédie, Montpellier's main square, was quiet when we arrived. Since it was Sunday, most shops were closed, though the restaurants were open. Later in the day, the square came alive as a group gathered to dance to lively Latin music.

Place de la Comédie

Les Halles Laissac, a covered market filled with local food vendors, was open, so we stopped in to pick up a few snacks. One surprise was meeting a young woman selling nuts and dried fruit who spoke Chinese!

Chatted with this young lady in Chinese

Outside the market, we took in the area’s distinctive architecture, pausing to admire the striking murals that adorned the surrounding streets.

creative street art mural

We strolled along the Esplanade Charles de Gaulle and enjoyed a crêpe from one of the many vendors along the promenade.

Yummy crepe

Pretty pigeon house.

We ended the day where we started—the garden. One day in Montpellier, especially on a Sunday, barely scratched the surface of this vibrant and captivating city. We'd happily return for a longer stay. Stay tuned—our next stop is Avignon!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday ThroughMyLens and Monday Murals.

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