Getting There — The fastest way to get to Montpellier is to fly from Paris’s Orly or Charles de Gaulle airports to Aéroport Montpellier Méditerranée (www.montpellier.aeroport.fr; tel. 04-67-20-85-00), 8km (5 miles) southeast of Montpellier (trip time 1 hr., 17 min.). Taxis (tel. 04-30-96-60-60) from the airport to the center cost from approximately 25€. The airport shuttle no. 120 goes to place Europe and costs 1.60€. Trains arrive regularly daily from Avignon (trip time: from 1hr., 8 min.; one-way fare is from 18.70€), from Marseille (trip time: 1.5 hr.; one-way fare is from 14€), from Toulouse (trip time: 2 hr., 12 min.; one-way fare is from 21€), and from Perpignan (trip time: 1.5 hr.; one-way fare is from 10€). Fourteen TGV trains arrive daily from Paris Gare de Lyon, taking less than 3.5 hr. The one-way fare is from 65€. Train information and schedules are on www.sncf-connect.com or call tel. 36-35 . If you’re driving, Montpellier lies off A9.

Montpellier has an efficient tramway system that continues to expand. Visit www.montpellier-agglo.com/tam for details. The bus station is at 1 rue du Grand St-Jean (tel. 04-67-92-01-43), with buses covering most of the towns in the Hérault region.

If you're driving, Montpellier is off the A9.

Visitor Information — The Office de Tourisme is at 30 Allée Jean de L. de Tassigny (www.montpellier-tourisme.fr; tel. 04-67-60-60-60).

City Layout — The compact, pedestrianized old town lies north and west of the heart of Montpellier, the place de la Comédie.

Special Events — From June 24 to July 7 (approximately), classical and modern dancers leap into town for the Festival International Montpellier Danse. Tickets for performances range from free to 35€ and are available from the box office, 18 rue Ste-Ursule (www.montpellierdanse.com; tel. 08-00-60-07-40).

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.