Architecture etc. à Montpellier

Keeping with Wednesday tradition, I spent this one with Caitlin and Justin. This time, we decided to take the train to Montpellier for the day. It's surprising how easy it is to navigate the trains here... and very very cool. Anyways, the day was beautiful (if very hot during lunch). We had a really nice long lunch sitting on a terrace at the Place de la Comédie and then proceeded to walk around, get a drink at a café and then end up at the Musée Languedocien, where the three of us received a guided private tour of the entire museum. Very very cool. Afterwards, we moved west and saw the Promenade de Peyrou (with the arch and the super building pictured below) before making our way to the Jardin des Plantes, which was created in 1593 as a medicinal garden by the Université de Montpellier, which is apparently the second oldest university in the world (according to the people we talked to in the city). Who knew? Afterwards, we wandered back down to the Place de la Comédie, where we got some kebabs for dinner (we splurged on lunch) and made our way back to the gare. All in all, a very successful day.

Like the first time I came here with Michel and Rémy, the most striking thing for me in Montpellier is the architecture. My first time here, I thought it looked like no other city I'd ever seen before (apparently it ressembles Paris... guess I've forgotten). Anyways, here are some shots I managed to take this time around (last time, I didn't take a single shot as I was the only touriste in our group).


Random façade. I love how although the building completely changes colors etc, the balconies are still the same.










I just love the architecture of these buildings. Very majestic. And amusing when you see a building like this with a McDonalds in the bottom.


Porte de Peyrou i.e. another arc de Triomphe... albeit much smaller.


Statue of lahgahgalgh at the Promenade de Peyrou. Very impressive though.


A view of the building at the end of the Promenade de Peyrou. Notice the sky in the background. It could not have been more perfect.


Photo of the ruins of the Aqueduc Saint-Clément


A view of the Plantanes at the Promenade de Peyrou


Spending the late afternoon in the Jardin des Plantes


A few French children playing next to a pond in the Jardin. Hearing children speak French is one of the most adorable things ever.


My favorite: The Forbidden Grass.