DebitNM

We had 60,000 Marriott points to spend and I thought I could add on a few days to our trip to Paris and Provence last September/October. There are not many Marriott properties in France and for the amount of points we had; we were able to book 4 nights at the Courtyard in Montpelllier.

We drove in from The Luberon and had a heck of a time getting around Montpellier. I had printed directions from Michelin and maps too, but we really had a tough time. We needed to get to the train station as we needed to exchange our rental car from Europcar. It had been broken into in Menerbes and the window wouldn’t close fully. We finally found the train station and as luck would NOT have it, they had no cars at the TGV station. So we had to go to the airport to try and trade the car. Off we went and again we got pretty turned around. The one good thing was that we just happened to find a small sing on a lamppost for the Courtyard and an arrow point to the right. We found the hotel, checked in and the headed to the airport. This time luck WAS on our side as the Europcar agent and a mechanic were able to get the window back on its track and it worked again. So, back to the hotel to park and then off to explore.

The Courtyard is in a decent location in the plaza next to City Hall. There is a wine shop, a boulangerie and a tram stop right outside hotel. There was also a Laundromat nearby where we were able to do laundry. There is a really nice walking path and park area nearby, which is along the river Lez..

We walked up toward an area that had lots of restaurants, wide promenades and was quite busy on a warm October afternoon. The area, known as, Antigone, was really nice for a stroll. We happened upon a demonstration for a soccer player that had been injured and it was quite large, but under control.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antigone_District
http://www.ultras-tifo.net/news/1145...nstration.html

We ate an ok dinner at Leon’s of Brussels. Really good moules with frites.

The next day, we headed to the sea. We went Palavas-les-Flots which was a short drive from the hotel. We did not get lost! We walked about, enjoying the views of folks in a paddle board and windsurfing class practice. There were lots of folks fishing from the jetties and the fishermen had brought in a nice catch. There were so many beautiful sailboats in the marinas; it was fun just to walk around. We stopped for lunch at a little place that was packed full with locals. We ordered and the food was prepared to order. I had a tapas plate of seafood, much of which I couldn’t identify! It was really an experience - to say the least. The beaches probably weren't the nicest for swimming [lots of high rises and cement along the beach] but for our purposes, it was okay.

We headed back to the hotel and found a small little pizza shop to grab some dinner.

On Monday we headed up to Millau Viaduct to see the bridge. Driving across it was amazing! We went to the visitor center and got some great shots of the bridge.

We headed into Millau to explore and have lunch. We stopped in a small brasserie and had a nice lunch. We then walked about for a while, exploring the town. On the way out, we stopped at the renown leather shop, Maison Fabre. We drove home going UNDER the bridge, which was very interesting perspective.

http://www.maisonfabre.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millau_Viaduct

On our last full day, we went to explore more of Montpellier. We took the tram to Place de la Comédie where we walked around the entire area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Place_de_la_Comédie

We went to the University area [one of the oldest in Europe] and picked up sandwiches for a picnic lunch at Les Jardin des Plantes de Montpelllier. We walked along Rue Foch through their Arch - Porte du Peyrou to the aqueduct Saint Clément.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montpellier

All in all, for a stop on our itinerary that got added only because of Marriott points, I would have to say that we really enjoyed our time in Montpellier. It is definitely worth a visit.

kansas

Thank you, DebitNM! I will go back and check out your links. I appreciate the info.

kerouac

Thanks for your report. Montpellier is one of the most pleasant cities in France, even during the heat of the summer. All of the cafés along Place de la Comédie have mist sprayers to keep the terrace temperatures down.

Printemps

Thanks for this report. I took a French course several years ago in Montpellier
and have fond memories of the city. I was lucky enough to be toured around by
the family I was staying with and the Millau Viaduct, along with
the Pont du Gard are standouts in my memory. Nimes is very close by
and interesting as well. The Place de la Comèdie is a happening
place, especially in the evening.

Myer

We spent part of a day in Montpellier as a daytrip (train) from Avignon. Within minutes of leaving the train station we realized this place is special.

We never even got to the university area or Antigone. We concentrated our time between the train station, thru the Arc and to the aqueduct.

We're considering it as a train base to explore that part of France. Could easily do with another visit to Uzes if it works out as were were there on market day and to me an overrun main square isn't what I want to see.

A base should have easy transportation for daytrips as well as enough to do (sights and restaurants) since a base gets more time in morning and evening than daytrips.

Does it have enough?

HappyCheesehead

Thanks for adding your trip report for Montpellier

I got a lot of useful info and was embarrassingly excited to read that there is a laundry close by to do the wash half way through the trip.

Pvoyageuse

"A base should have easy transportation for daytrips as well as enough to do (sights and restaurants) since a base gets more time in morning and evening than daytrips. Does it have enough?"

It is the 8th largest city in France (over 250,000 inhabitants) and the capital and the largest city of the Région Languedoc-Roussillon. Public transportation is excellent.

Myer

Pvoyageuse,
Thanks. We were there for part of a day and saw the trolleys running around.

I guess it's a pretty good base then. We'd probably want to stay somewhere between the train station and Place de la Comédie. I imagine there are a number of hotels there.

DebitNM

Topping just to say it was great watching the Tour de France yesterday and seeing so many familiar spots in Montpellier!

kerouac

Yesterday I drove from Toulouse to Marseille via Albi and it was quite strange to work my way up the road the Tour was taking backwards. (It was quite early so the road wasn't closed yet.)

TDudette

JR and I based there before the TGV station was built and loved it. We stayed almost on the "Egg" and watched the "big" student demonstration while we ate.

Thanks DebitNM.

mpprh

The TGV station hasn't been built ?

The plan is to redevelop the current station and associated rail areas to provide underground parking and incorporate the new TGV rail station on the A9 autoroutein a new commercial area including tram line 3, hotels, housing, restaurants, and office buildings.

The start date for the Perpignan - Montpellier TGV link varies between 2020 and 2040.

More : http://the-languedoc-page.com/phpBB3...ontpellier+tgv

CJT0427

I know what you mean about the train station. I've driven to it twice and found it purely by accident both times! On the other hand, the airport is pretty easy to get in and out of when coming from outside Montpelier itself. So glad you enjoyed one of my favorite areas of France.

DebitNM

ttt