The city is 170 km from Marseille , 242 km from Toulouse and 748 km from Paris . Montpellier has a warm Mediterranean climate. Summer is hot and sunny here, and winter is rainy and cool. This French region is famous for its wine, liqueur and seafood. A large number of shops are located in the area of de la Comedie and rue Foch.
Montpellier was first mentioned in the late 10th century, when the local feudal lord united the two villages. In 1141, the Count of Toulouse built a castle here and gave the settlement urban privileges.
Montpellier is a city in the south of France in the Occitan region off the coast of the Mediterranean. It is one of the largest centers of the southern part of the country and the capital of the Herault department. Montpellier is a fascinating South French town with interesting sights of history and culture which is located near the sights of Provence, the Camargue Reserve and the beautiful Mediterranean beaches. Montpellier is located on the River Lez 10 km from the Mediterranean Sea.
Montpellier
History
Montpellier was first mentioned in the late 10th century, when the local feudal lord united the two villages. In 1141 the Count of Toulouse built a castle here and gave the settlement urban privileges. By the end of the 12th century Montpellier had become a large shopping mall with connections all over the Mediterranean. The French and Spaniards, Muslims and Jews lived relatively peacefully here. In 1220 a university was founded in Montpellier. From the 13th century to the mid-14th century the city belonged to the counts of Roussillon. In 1349 Montpellier was sold to the French crown.
Under the rule of France the city became one of the largest commercial centers of the Mediterranean and remained until the 16th century until Marseille flourished. During the Huguenot wars Montpellier was besieged by royal troops. Later the city became the center of the Lower Languedoc province.
Attractions
Montpellier has a charming old town (L 'Écusson), which extends from the Peiré embankment to the Comedy Square. It is a maze of old streets and cozy squares with historic buildings of the 16th - 18th centuries.
Peirè Quay is one of the most famous places in Montpellier located at the highest point of the city west of the old walls. This open space was founded in the early 18th century during the reign of Louis XIV. The statue of this monarch is made on the model of an earlier statue that was melted for making guns. The most notable feature of this place is the Château d'eau - a monumental water tower powered by the ancient aqueduct of St. Clement 14 km long.
The Arc de Triomphe is the entrance to the Peira waterfront. It was built in 1693 on the model of a similar structure, located in Paris.
Comedy Square is one of the central areas of Montpellier with a lively atmosphere, numerous restaurants and shops. Located between the old city and new areas. The square has a beautiful neoclassical architecture. In the center of it is a fountain built in the late 18th century.
St. Pierre is a monumental Gothic cathedral. It was built on the site of a 14th century medieval chapel. The cathedral was virtually unaffected during the period of religious wars. St. Pierre hid in the streets of the old city and has a large portal with two large columns.
Church of St. Roja is a neo-gothic church in the heart of the old town, built in 1861. The religious building is dedicated to the patron saint of Montpellier.
Church of St. Anne is a former church that now houses a contemporary art center. This beautiful Gothic-style building dates from the 19th century.
One of the most interesting museums in Montpellier is - Fabre, which presents beautiful paintings and sculptures. For the most part, the museum's exhibits date back to the Baroque and 19th centuries.
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