Off to Montpellier for the day. This is our local big city, about 50kms to the east, and always a great place to visit. Montpellier, a city of 230,000 is described by Lonely Planet as innovative, fast-growing, self-confident and rivaling Toulouse for the title of southern France’s most vital city. More than a quarter of the population consists of students who live in a city that would have to be one of the most pedestrian friendly cities in Europe. It has a fantastic modern tram system that has two lines intersecting in the middle of the city, one running essentially E-W and the other N-S. At each of the terminal points a large carpark is provided where it is possible to park all day for 4 euros, and then transfer onto the tram to get into the city in a most comfortable way. The 4 euro parking fee also includes a return tram ticket for EVERY occupant of the car. This is what I call good public transport planning policy, and it works – superbly.
We spent the day, bathed in superb Mediterranean weather, wandering around the old quarter of the city, stopping occasionally for refreshments in one of the many interesting cafes and restaurants, and doing a bit of shopping (mostly clothes).
We have been back into Montpellier a couple of times since this trip (this blog is way overdue), including yesterday to drop my brother and his wife at the train station, on their way home. We found out yesterday that Joan Baez (one of my favourite performers from the 60-70's) is giving a free concert in Montpellier on the 25th so we will definitely be going. We are taking Mimi and possibly Samir with us.
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