Montpellier, a cultural hub with historic universities and diverse museums

Montpellier is an ancient seat of learning. Founded in 1289, the university is one of the oldest in the world, and one of the largest in France. The Faculty of Medicine was formed in 1170, and in 1181 Guilhem VIII granted Montpellier the freedom to teach medicine. The Faculty of Law also dates back to 1220. 

Hand in hand with this culture of research, teaching and learning, went tolerance. Montpellier has always welcomed Muslims, Cathars, Jews, Protestants, and others. 

This history is proudly continued today in Montpellier, which has a significant Spanish population along with Moroccan, Algerian, and Italian communities.

This gives rise to an exceptionally broad range of cultural offerings, including some of the region's best museums. One of the most popular is Planet Ocean, an aquarium in Port Marianne. As well as a stunning collection of ocean life which you can see up close, there is an explanation of the seabed and a mock up of a ship in a storm at sea, which is a highlight for many visitors. It is very convincing! At the end of the visit there is a planetarium which adds to the value of the visit.

The Musée Fabre has a lovely collection of Dutch and Flemish art, as well as some French painters and on the top floor a nicely-curated collection of contemporary art. The museum offers a full programme of workshops, talks, children's sessions and temporary exhibitions, and entrance is only €9.

Totally free, the Pavillion Populaire has a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions of photographers' work. Currently undergoing a complete renovation, it is due to re-open on December 2, 2025, with an exhibition dedicated to the award-winning French photojournalist Raymond Depardon. 

The Musée d'Arts Brut, Singulier & Autres is fun. Much of the art is amusing and colourful and there are three temporary exhibitions a year. The Musée Saharien in Crès is also worth a visit. 

This private museum, open every afternoon except Sundays, Tuesdays and Bank Holidays, showcases the collection of Bernard Adell, a passionate Sahara aficionado. The ground floor explores the peoples who live there, and the first floor deals with the scientific and economic development of the desert. Absolutely fascinating.

Parcelle 473 exhibits street art, and MO.CO. (Montpellier Contemporaine) also offers a full programme of exhibitions, workshops and themed visits.

On a more grisly note, the Anatomy Museum at the Faculty of Medicine is open to the public, should you want to inspect the flayed body of a man digging a hole. 

The collection was originally assembled as a teaching aid, and includes dissection subjects, surgical instruments, as well as casts made from wax, plaster and papier-mâché.

I am in love with my city

Salomé Sakouhi owns and runs Le Bookshop with her business partner Manon Pastorello. "I bought the business 38 years ago, because I always wanted to work in an Anglophone environment. I am originally from near Marseille and in comparison to Nice where I studied - and which is very snobbish - here you are free to be yourself. There is much less pressure to conform. 

"Montpellier welcomes you as you are. It has a huge international student population, and people come from everywhere. Everyone can belong here, there is always someone to take you and make you feel you belong. It is a melting pot; it is not a particularly rich city, and people talk over the divide.

"The pace of life is relaxed. Although it is still the South of France, no one is in a rush. It is not a seaside town, but you can take an air-conditioned bus or tram to the coast in half an hour. 

"To sum up, Montpellier is a very connected city. It has a huge cultural life, a multicultural population, with plenty of job opportunities, easy living, renting a place is possible without too much hassle. Although it has no subway, it still has a big city vibe. There's always something happening. I'm really in love with my city."