Flights to Montpellier with Air France from CAD 1,321*

Flights to Montpellier from Canada with Air France

Montpellier, one of the largest cities in the south of France, dates back to the 10th century. Located a stone’s throw from the Mediterranean, it boasts a very pleasant climate, with extremes of temperature being rare, few rainy days and a great deal of sunshine, making stays here feasible at any time of the year. Its population of some 280,000 includes large numbers of students, with the result that almost half the city is aged under 30. Flights to Montpellier from both Toronto and Montréal take as little as 9 hours 40 minutes, including a connection in Paris. The local currency is the Euro.

Montpellier – a beautiful showcase for architecture from the 12th century to the present-day

The city prospered due to the trade in spices and, thanks to its medical school (the second oldest in Europe), attracted students from all over the continent. This early multiculturalism can be seen in such remarkable remains as the Mikvé, a Jewish ritual bath which together with the synagogue, represent an architectural ensemble like no other in Europe. The Tour des Pins dates from a similar period and is the last remaining tower of the 25 that once graced the city walls. The 14th century Cathédrale de St Pierre is best-known for its porch, supported by columns that have been compared to space rockets!

Moving forward to the 18th century, and the Place de la Comédie became, and has remained, the city’s nerve centre. It’s one of the biggest pedestrianized areas in France and it’s a great place for people-watching, shopping and enjoying a drink. A fountain representing the Three Graces and one of the city’s opera houses are key features. A short walk away is the Musée Fabre, one of Montpellier’s most popular attractions, housed in a former Jesuit college. This contains an excellent collection of ceramics, sculptures and paintings by names like Poussin, Veronese, Rubensand Zurbaran; and more modern works by Raoul Dufy and Aristide Maillol.

Getting back to nature in the heart of the city – Montpellier’s top eco-attractions

Montpellier boasts several key green spaces within its city limits. Most famous of these is probably the botanical gardens. These were originally created as part of the faculty of Medicine, and they date from 1593, making them France’s oldest and indeed one of the oldest in the world. Over 2,600 plant species find a home in its 11-acre site, many of them grown in glasshouses, including a collection of South American flora. The garden also boasts more than 700 species of trees.

Attracting over 500,000 visitors a year, Montpellier zoois one of the most popular in the country. It covers seven ecosystems that are home to around 140 different kinds of animals. A special ‘Amazonian zone’ inside a glass enclosure recreates a tropical rainforest environment and features a wide range of birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians and mammals from the South American continent. Anteaters, Howler Monkeys and Piranhas are some of the iconic species found here.

Closer to the town centre lies the beautiful tree-lined esplanade of the Promenade de Peyrou. The views over the city are stunning, with at one end of the walk an impressive triumphal arch (the Porte du Peyrou) and at the other an 18th century aqueduct and water tower.

For other activities in and around Montpellier, why not take a look at Air France’s dedicated holiday activities webpages?

Websites to browse before your flight to Montpellier to make the most of your trip

Useful tourism and travel websites for Montpellier and the surrounding region:

• ca.france.fr/en/
• montpellier-france.com/
• tourism-occitanie.co.uk/
• museefabre-en.montpellier3m.fr/