Planning a Trip

Getting There

Some 12 trains per day arrive from Avignon (trip time: 1 hr.), 12 from Marseille (trip time: 1 3/4 hr.), every 2 hours from Toulouse (trip time: 2 hr.), and 17 per day from Perpignan (trip time: 1 1/2 hr.). Trains arriving hourly from Paris's Gare de Lyon take 8 to 10 hours, depending on the train, and usually require a change of equipment in Lyon. One TGV train arrives daily from Paris, taking less than 3 1/2 hours. The one-way fare starts from 75€ ($98). For rail information, call tel. 36-35, or visit www.voyages-sncf.com.

The Montpellier bus station is located at 20 rue du Grand St-Jean (tel. 04-67-92-01-43). Two buses a day run between Nîmes and Montpellier, Monday to Saturday only, for 8.50€ ($11). The trip takes 1 3/4 hours.

If you're driving, Montpellier lies off A9.

Visitor Information

The Office de Tourisme is at 30 allée Jean de L. de Tassigny (tel. 04-67-60-60-60; fax 04-67-60-60-61; www.ot-montpellier.fr).

Special Events

From June 24 to July 7, classical and modern dancers leap into town for the Festival International Montpellier Danse. Tickets for performances cost 6€ to 30€ ($7.80-$39) and can be purchased through the box office, Montpellierdanse, 18 rue Ste-Ursule (tel. 08-00-60-07-40 or 04-67-60-83-60; www.montpellierdanse.com). From July 12 to 29, the Festival de Radio France et de Montpellier presents orchestral music, jazz, and opera. Tickets run 6€ to 50€ ($7.80-$65); call tel. 04-67-02-02-01 or contact the Cité des Congrés Le Corum, esplanade Charles de Gaulle (tel. 04-67-61-67-61; www.festivalradiofrancemontpellier.com).