Montpellier

Montpellier is a city in southern France. It is the capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon region, as well as the Hérault department. Montpellier is the 8th largest city of the country, and is also the fastest growing city in France over the past 25 years.

History

Montpellier is one of the few large cities in France without a (Gallo-)Roman background and one of the few cities in southern France without a Greek background.

Montpellier, first mentioned in a document of 985, was founded under a local feudal dynasty, the Guillem counts of Toulouse, who joined together two hamlets and built a castle and walls around the united settlement. Montpellier came to prominence in the 10th century as a trading centre, with trading links across the Mediterranean world and a rich Jewish cultural life and traditions of tolerance of its Muslims, Jews and Cathars—and later of its Protestants. William VII of Montpellier established a faculty of medicine in 1180, recognised by Pope Nicholas IV; the city's university was established in 1220 and was one of the chief centers for the teaching of medicine. This marked the high point of Montpellier's prominence.
During the 19th century the city developed into an industrial centre. In the 1960s, its population grew dramatically after French settlers in Algeria were resettled in the city following Algeria's independence from France.

Geography

The city is situated on hilly ground 10 kilometres (6 mi) inland from the Mediterranean coast on the River Lez. Montpellier is located 52 kilometres (32 mi) from Nîmes, 168 kilometres (104 mi) from Marseille, 248 kilometres (154 mi) from Toulouse. It is at a distance of 750 kilometres (466 mi) from the capital of France, Paris.

Sights

  • The main focus point of the city is the Place de la Comédie
  • The Musée Fabre
  • Jardin des plantes de Montpellier – oldest botanical garden in France, founded in 1593
  • The La Serre Amazonienne, an Amazon greenhouse
  • The fourteenth century Saint Pierre Cathedral
  • The Porte du Peyrou, a triumphal arch
  • The Antigone District
  • A number of châteaux, so-called follies, built by wealthy merchants surround the city