Montpellier Travel Forum

Hello, Id like to ask 2 questions:

Is the public transport in Montpellier any good? Ive heard different opinions, but Ive also heard that one can get to the beach by bus in 20-30 minutes from the city center. Im really interested in the overall situation of public transport for getting around town.

How big is the Polygone quartier? The shopping mall and the surrounding area looked rather nice. Is that area bigger?:-)

THANKS!

just an opinion, I'm sure people living there can update with straight facts, but my brother lived nearby in a village and his wife took French lessons in Montpellier. She may have had rides into town often but I think they said that public transport was very good.

the Polygone is huge and a major meeting place. I was in Montpellier many times though didn't spend much time IN that shopping plaza. I like to be around the Egg, and little streets near the Cathedral. Sorry I know this is vague. I CAN say I like Montpellier a lot, have a cousin nearby so we visit often.

The public transportation is quite good in Montpellier as the use of personal automobiles is discouraged.

Palavas les Flots is about 30 minutes by bus from the city center and is an excellent beach location with large sandy beaches.

Thanks for the replies. Is Montpellier really as nice as Ive read? Does anybody happen to know what survey that was where Montpellier was voted the "ville préférée des Francais"?

I'm at a very strange/difficult point at my life (my whole circle of friends has been breaking apart, b/c most of my friends have moved elsewhere in Germany b/c of college or a job). I guess thats kind of normal at this point in life?

But I think its also a good opportunity at the same time as I really don't have any strong ties to Germany anymore (my family lives here, but unfortunately the relationship has never really been a very good one, in the first place..) and I'm really looking into the possibility of moving to another country and continue chapter 2 of my life...and as I can speak fluent French and love sunny weather (the German weather really gets me depressive), southern France seemed like a good choice for me. (Plus, Im in college and will have the opportunity to spend 2 semesters in Nice or hopefully in Montpellier)

Hopefully after my vacation to Nice and Montpellier, I'll still think the same way about it hehe. I know moving out is probably a very difficult process, but I guess if youve been to a location a few times on vacation and spend a year there during college, speak the language fluently and have made a few friends there along the way that should make things a lot easier.

Another thing that's really important to me is that the people are laid back, but I guess in southern France as everywhere in the mediterranean region(?) people are laid back and not stressed out as here in Germany or as probably in Northern France, too?

In central Montpellier public transport is good. 2 tramlines are open now... a 3rd on it's way.

The tram people also offer bike rental for Euro2 a day and you can subscribe to an hourly car rental service... even petrol is included... google Modulauto.

Travelling in from the villages is more problematical. The beach is only 6kms so in theory you could bike it.

Wendy
My blog http://wendyfrenchhelpservices.blogspot.com/