Overview
Montpellier is known as vibrant student town with a Mediterranean feel. The best time to visit Montpellier is during the summer when the climate of Southern France is at its best. Montpellier is located in the south of France, in the region Languedoc-Roussillon.
Statistics:
Location: Southern France
International Dialing code: 33
Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October)
Average temperatures (January): 12°C
Average temperatures (July): 29°C
Official Language: French
Currency
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency in Montpellier, France. Currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and some large hotels. Major credit cards are widely accepted.
1.00 GBP = 1.13 EUR
1.00 USD = 0.69 EUR
Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.
Emergency Contacts
Police: 17 - free call
Fire service : 18 – free call
Ambulance : 15 – free call
Attractions
Place de la Comédie
Musée Fabre
Jardin des plantes de Montpellier
Saint Pierre Cathedral
Porte du Peyrou
Nightlife:
Montpellier has a distinctive life night, in part due to a large student population. There are a multitude of festivities, places to meet people, and numerous discotheques. Traveling from one establishment to another is made easy thanks to the Amigo Bus, which runs Thursday through Sunday throughout the night club circuit. While visiting, check out L'Oxymore Cafe, the Irish Corner, or Mi Barrio.
Shopping:
Montpellier has a number of centrally located shopping districts, each with its own unique allure, including chic boutiques, independent and specialist shops, as well as larger chain stores. The enormous Polygone shopping center is very popular and meets most daily needs of Montpellier's visitors. However, it's also worth heading outdoors to one of many different markets around Montpellier, such as the flea market in Anitgone down town district, which offer everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to gifts and bric-à-brac.
Hotels
Montpellier is a buzzing, sophisticated city which features diverse hotel accommodations. Hotel choices range from economical rooms to world class suites. Several of Montpellier's hotels are traditional town houses with great character. Nevertheless, Montpellier is under a constant state of evolution, so the city has accommodations for visitors who prefer lodging in modern buildings.
It's worth noting that Montpellier can get quite busy during the summer months, particularly as these coincide with the city's main festivals. If you're planning to stay in the city center, or have a particular hotel or guesthouse in mind, it's definitely worth booking accommodation ahead. Montpellier's Tourist Office is a useful source of information about lodging in the city and surrounding area.
Restaurants
Montpellier's restaurants and eateries are largely influenced by its youthful student population. The city and its surrounding districts feature a variety of bustling bars, cafes, bistros, and traditional restaurants. As well as serving traditional dishes using locally produced ingredients, Montpellier's restaurants also represent a vast range of other cuisines, from that of North Africa to Chinese, Spanish and Italian dishes. When visiting historic downtown Montpellier, drop by the Tamarillos, owned by Phillipe Chapon, one of the country's finest dessert chefs.
