Montpellier Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Montpellier

The trouble with living in a pleasant seaside town in the middle ages was pirates. This was especially true for the town of Maguelone on the south shore of present-day France. A settlement more inland was combined with Maguelone under the feudal dynasty of Guilhem in 985. They added a castle and walls and called it Montpellier.

Montpellier was an important trading center in the 12th century and remained so until it was surpassed by Marseilles in 1481. The 16th century brought many changes. Chief among them was the Protestant Reformation. Montpellier became a Huguenot stronghold. Louis XIII conquered the city in 1622 and built the city Citadel to keep it.

Louis XIV, the "Sun King", made Montpellier the capital of Lower Landueduc. The city entered a new era of building and civic improvements. The Peyrou Promenade, the Water Castle and the 18th century Saint Clement Aqueduct serviced the town.

In the 19th century many elegant mansions appeared in the historic center of the city. The Corum and the Opera Berlioz emerged. The center of attention goes to the Comedy Square with the Opera Comedy from 1888. The Gate of Peyrou is a great way to walk into the old section of town.

The 14th century fortified Montpellier Cathedral awes visitors with its rocket-like towers. The Amazon Greenhouse is a tropical rain forest gallery. The Montpellier Plant Garden, founded in 1593, is the oldest botanical garden in France. The University of Montpellier was founded in 1160. French writer François Rabelais received his degree in medicine there in 1530.

Montpellier is a cherished crossroad of the Mediterranean. So it has been from the 12th century until now. Sunshine (most of the year), delicious food, historical sights and neighborhoods, and world class universities and museums (students make up almost 1/3 of the population) and much more. Many travelers come here. Many travelers stay.