Tourist information on Montpellier, France

Montpellier is a lively historical city in southern France, located 10 km from the Mediterranean Sea. It is the capital of both the Languedoc-Roussillon region and the Hérault department, and is the eighth largest city in France. The city is built on two hills, Montpellier and Montpellieret, and is situated between the coastal river Lez and its tributary Mosson. Referred to as the Oxford of France, Montpellier has one of the oldest universities in the world and today is one of France's main centres of higher education. With its picturesque squares, terrace cafés, historic buildings and abundance of museums, the city has much to attract the tourist and is a popular holiday destination. Montpellier is also a thriving industrial city, its economy dominated by high-tech industries such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and information technology.

Montpellier is one of the few large cities in France without a Roman history. It dates from 985, when the Guillem counts of Toulouse founded a fortified settlement from the union of two hamlets. Montpellier prospered in the 10th century through trade with the countries of the eastern Mediterranean. Its university, established in 1220, became one of Europe's main centres of medicine. It was the marriage of Marie of Montpellier to Peter II of Aragon which brought Montpellier into the kingdom of Aragon in 1204. The town passed to James II of Majorca in 1276 and was sold by the ruined James III of Majorca in 1349 to the French king, Philip VI of Valois, to fund his feud against his cousin Peter IV of Aragon. In the 16th century, Montpellier acquired a large Protestant population, leading King Louis XIII of France to lay siege to the city in 1622. The town capitulated within a few months and returned to Catholicism. In the 17th and 18th centuries Montpellier was transformed by its architecture, which reflected the city's growing commercial and political importance. The 19th century saw even greater development as Montpellier became a major industrial centre.

Montpellier's city centre is a magnet for tourists, offering not only a wealth of historic architecture and museums, but some great shopping, trendy bars and chic restaurants in which to sample the local cuisine. At the heart of the city is the Place de la comédie, which is surrounded by a good selection of shops and cafés. Nearby is the city's main feature, the Promenade de Peyrou, a long avenue that extends westwards from the city centre to the Arceaux district. This takes in the Place de Peyrou, the highest point in Montpellier (offering commanding views of the city), a late 17th century triumphal arch (Porte du Peyrou) and an ornate statue of Louis XIV. Situated in the centre of the Old Town, the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Montpellier is a vast Gothic church, built between the 14th and 19th centuries, the largest church in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Other famous landmarks include: the Tour de la Babote, an observatory built in the 18th century; the Tour des Pins, one of the 25 towers which once reinforced the city's Medieval walls, but which later served as a prison during the French Revolution; and Saint Clément Aqueduct, built in the 17th century to carry water from St Clément spring to the water tower (château d'eau).

Montpellier's plethora of museums reflect the city's historic status as a major centre of learning. The Musée Fabre (Fabre Museum), founded in 1828, is one of the most important regional museums in France, with over 800 exhibits (paintings, sculptures and drawings). The Musée Atger is another outstanding art museum, with a large collection of art of the French, Italian and Flemish schools The Musée Languedocien has an impressive display of prehistoric and Gallo-Roman artefacts, ceramics, medieval sculpture and paintings. The Musée de Vieux Montpellier traces the history of Montpellier through its diverse collection of furnishings and decorative arts, from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. The Musée de l'Anatomie is one of the city's more unusual museums. Its exhibits include a reconstruction of a 19th century operating theatre (complete with surgical instruments of the period) and a stomach-turning collection of anatomical specimens and pickled organs. For those who prefer green outdoor spaces, there is the Jardin des plantes de Montpellier, France's oldest botanical garden (founded in 1593) and the Parc Lunaret, which has an excellent zoo

Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport is situated 7 km south southeast of Montpellier, in the town of Mauguio and serves several cities in Europe, including Paris, London, Madrid and Brussels. Montpellier is also connected to several cities in France by rail, including a high speed train service (TGV) to Paris. Montpellier's main railway station, Gare de Montpellier-Saint-Roch, provides convenient access to other towns in the region. The city's excellent public transport system includes a modern tram network.