Tips for tourists and accommodation for Montpellier

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About the city

Montpellier is a city in the south of France, the capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon région, as well as the préfecture (administrative capital) of the Hérault département. It is situated on hilly ground 10 km inland from the Mediterranean coast on the River Lez. The name of the city, originally Monspessulanus, is said to have stood for mont pelé (the naked hill, because the vegetation was poor), or le mont de la colline (the mount of the hill). The population of the city (commune) of Montpellier at the 1999 census was 225,300, whereas the whole metropolitan area (in French: aire urbaine) had a population of 459,916 in 1999. In 2007, the estimated population of the metropolitan area was 531,000.

Article retrieved from Wikipedia

City areas

Since 2001, Montpellier is divided into seven official districts, further divided into a number of sub-districts. Each district has a council and a mayoral adjunct.

Attractions

Montpellier’s old centre is of particular interest to all tourists, as it gathers in one place most of the city’s attractions. Still, there are plenty other places worth visiting.

Events

Most cultural events in Montpellier are free and they have as highlight the Festival de Radio France, held in the historic courtyards of the city or the modern concert halls of Le Corum.

History and civilization

Montpellier is one of the few cities in France without a (Gallo-)Roman background. It was first mentioned in 985 in a donation of the county of Melgueil.

Restaurants and nightlife

 Montpellier is very cosmopolitan for a city of its size and has a wide variety of ethnic cuisines available, in addition to traditional French food.

Montpellier’s famous figures

Among the famous people born in Montpellier, probably the most notable figure is that of Saint Roch, a Christian saint and confessor, especially invoked against plague. He gives his name to the only train station in the city, as well as to a church and many squares and streets.