Montpellier - Southern France imagined
Sat 20 Jul 2013
Arriving to Montpellier on a later July evening reveals a city in the South of France that you imagine. The TGV is just off the old city centre, and just a short walk to the premium accommodation you are booked.
Around you the sights, smells and sounds of pleasant people spells a t m o s p h e r e ... and so it goes.
Hitting the streets in the evening for a beer with friends is in a Rock n Roll bar - devoid of people the streets outside are full, but writer friend insists that is a cool place to hang out.
After the obligatory catch up, the rock n roll friend can be persuaded to a more interesting venue... A pub called "Shakespeare". The pattern seems somehow similar and we sink an ale as we watch the band pack up...
The next morning is a feast. On the street, the courtyard adjacent to the accommodation is filled with the coffee and breakfast set busy about their croissant - across the road a street performing duo are banging out some bi lingual covers and very much worth the listen. The raspy voice female singer is a petite and perfect the job.
Adjacent, an undercover market is a showcase of produce, meat cuts, cheeses, fruit and vegetables.
The city is otherwise a delight to walk about. The narrow streets lined with aging stone buildings maxing out at 4 or 5 floors. The ornate stone work and iron balustrades a feast for the eyes... and you wonder down to the cheaper part of town where there are markets with a middle eastern flavour, in a change of senses that encourages alertness.
In the evening this area is a venue for a cultural catch up party. Overpriced beer in plastic cups is not so easily swallowed, but given the quality of the company, its easy to overlook.
The following day demands more streets to walk and the city gates. A park with a grand 1715 arch overlooks a park adjacent with the classic statued warrior on horse back.
The time is much too soon, the atmosphere so enticing. Two days in Montpellier is not nearly enough. For a great range of accommodation in Montpellier,
Booking.com - +360,000,000 properties all over the world
Related Links:
Place de la Comedie Panoramic Streetscape Panoramic City entrance Panoramic Cafe square Panoramic| Story by: John Nayler Profile John Nayler has been a flat-out-traveller for almost 20 years. 37 countries, but who's counting - he is likely to have been there, done that AND probably recorded something about it. You want entertaining answers? You have come to the right place. |
_Other Stories
Other Stories How was a Tesla 3 tour of New Zealand Tesla Road Kill - Will the Model 3 stop in time? Tesla Model 3 leaving Invercargill, New Zealand The Tesla Driving Experience in New Zealand How to drive a Tesla 101 Driving New Zealand in a Tesla How to charge a Tesla in New Zealand BlazeAid - Restoring farm fencing at Moruya, NSW What is bareboating? - Edward, Charter Yachts Australia Robertson Caine 40 - Dolce Vita walkthru Come bareboating with Charter Yachts Australia Queensland open for tourism - Speaking with Annie Judd, CYA Where are the grey nomads this year? Greg McKinnon What's the flow-on effect of lack of tourists in the Whitsundays? - Woody, Whitsunday Ocean Services What is the future of restauranting and cafes in Airlie Beach? Kevin Collins, Fish D'Vine What's the state of the Whitsunday bareboat industry? - Interview with Trevor Rees How is business in Airlie Beach? Interview with Lyn Gregson Why are tourism operators in Airlie Beach so devastated right now? - Sharon Smallwood Honkers - freedom camping New Zealand Greek Sail 27th August - 10 September 2016 How to working holiday backpack in Australia with 100+ great tips Last minute bareboat charter sailing in Greece via Athens. Bodrum, the Turkish Riveria Coming ashore at Gallipoli 99 years on - Anzac Tourist Pergamon ruins, Bergama, Turkey Pamukkale, Turkey itinerary and accommodation recommendation Kilic Ali Pasa Hamam - Turkish cleanse and massage Mikla, Roof Top Dining in Istanbul, Turkey East Coast Australia's 9 Best Surf Spots For Newbie's Top 10 Cologne Karneval Do's and Don'ts 10 Reasons To Visit Hong Kong Hidemyass VPN review for using Gumtree.com.au from overseas Okinawa - Gold Coast, Great Barrier Reef, Japan Internet access in Japan with Rental 3G WIFI Swisscom Pocket Connect Wifi internet 3g rental test report Montpellier - Southern France imagined San Fermin, Pamplona - The celebration of Stupidity. Costa Brava Cruising, Catalunya 6 ways to enjoy Barcelona without being pick pocketed Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain Traveling light by Adrian Cahill Montseny, Top of the world, Cataluna, Spain Barcelona Breakfast on the Rambla de Cataluna Shanghai 72 Toscana Village Resort, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays Best Travel Websites Volunteering around the world Top gadgets to travel with Free Accomodation Hostels and the future of them! Cheap Airfares: How to get low fares? Does getting the Israel Passport Stamp scare you? Cool undiscovered city: Sofia, Bulgaria Freedom Bar, Chiang Mai, Thailand