Montpellier

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Rain over the Pyrenees en route to Montpellier.

To give you an DSC_0490 (Medium)idea of Montpellier’s passion for culture, the City has two national Opera Houses only 400 metres apart in the Town Square.

 

Montpellier was only two centuries old in 1181 DSC_0526when a far reaching edict was declared that anyone, regardless of religion or background, could teach medicine in Montpellier. And thus was born, at the end of the 12th century, what is today’s oldest operating medical school, the Faculty of Medecine.

 

Saint Pierre Cathedral is a former Benedictine DSC_0549 (Medium)chapel built in 1364 in the Commune Culture at the request of Pope Urban V. Like other old world cathedrals, it includes beautiful stained glass windows. And the tall ceilings in the cathedral made the choir music, which was playing in the background, sound grand.

 

Over two DSC_0518 (Medium)centuries a large number of private mansions were built in the town’s centre. These homes, signs of an owner’s prosperity, were built by noblemen and rich traders. These luxurious homes have gated entrances, interior courtyards and iron railings surrounding stone staircases which DSC_0578 (Medium)lead, ultimately, to the front entry. Without question, these are some grand buildings!

 

 

At the end of the 17th century the DSC_0592 (Medium)King erected the Triumphal Arch. This arch, a copy of the gates of Paris, was constructed in honour of Louis theXIVth.

 

One of the most stunning views the City has to offer is at the DSC_0607 (Medium)Royal Square, or the Peyrou Esplanade. Here you will also see a towering statue of Louis XIV. Yet another monument to royalty!

 

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