becky789

Hello all! We will be touring the Languedoc-Roussillon region in May. Intrigued by photos of Montpellier, I intended to spend a night there so we could see the sights close up and have a break from the many castles and villages we are touring. However, I recently heard that Montpellier is covered in graffiti, especially the "old town". If so, does this detract from the appeal? Being from New Jersey, I am thinking of the dismal, graffiti covered cities of Newark and Camden, of which I am sadly familiar. Could anyone share their thoughts on whether or not Montpellier is worth a visit? Thanks.

StCirq

I can only say that if I had the horror of Newark or Camden to compare it to, I would thank my lucky stars to be in Montpellier.

Sarastro

<i>I recently heard that Montpellier is covered in graffiti,</i>

Where did you hear such a thing? The center of Montpellier is lively, animated, full of restaurants and cafés, and if it is <i>covered in graffiti</i>, I never noticed it.

Christina

A lot of people think when people say things like this, they are delusional, but in fact, this is being promoted by the city tourism and other websites, it isn't ridiculous at all. They even have graffiti walking tours.

Now I haven't been to Camden or Newark, but imagine the situation is quite different. This isn't graffiti from gangs or ugly words or just people's names or things like that -- in fact, any big city will have some area with some of that type of graffiti, I imagine, at least in the US and in France where I've been. I think there may have been some of that type of graffiti on the back wall of the hotel where I stayed.

However, what you may have "heard" (which I find very surprising actually, as this isn't a major topic, as you can some of the people on Fodors who think they are French experts know nothing about it) is what is being called "street art" and is more creative and artistic than simple graffiti. Now I haven't been there for at least 5 years and never even noticed this, so maybe it's a new thing but it isn't going to be around and old church or to make things ugly, for example. I wouldn't "worry" about it at all unless you really can't stand that kind of stuff at all, and even then, I don't imagine you'll see much of it if you are there one day in the historic center.

here are some photos to give you a better idea of what this is about http://www.montpellier-france.com/Pr...ier-Street-Art

I really do not think this is common in the old center, as you seem to have heard. The Verdanson area which is the epicenter is far from there and I'm sure you will not be there.

Pvoyageuse

I agree with Christina ; Montpellier is the self-proclaimed capital of street art in France. Here are the 5 parts of town where you can see the best graffiti (and this includes the center of town) : http://www.20minutes.fr/montpellier/...street-art-roi

DebitNM

Perhaps dated, but...

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...and-report.cfm

becky789

Thank you, eveyone, for your replies. I followed the links provided, and they certainly put my mind at rest as to Montpellier's appeal. What I saw is definitely nothing like the scrawls covering some of New Jersey's urban areas. I would say it is more a striking and unique art form, than not. Montpellier looks even more interesting than I formerly believed. Itinerary remains as is!