Experience in Montpellier, France by Adriana

What is it like to live in Montpellier? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

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Montpellier is a very interesting and international city. For me has a perfect size. It's not so big as other french cities like Lyon or Toulouse but that does not mean is tiny! Has a very active historical center when is plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants. Just a few minutes to the beach by tram. The Mediterranean weather will offer you the best summer you can imagine.

What is the student lifestyle like in Montpellier?

Many students come to Montpellier for Erasmus or for Internships. So, a continuously flow of new people is present in the universities. The big public library in the center is a good choice during exams, for chilling the center offers you plenty of options for a night out with friends. During summer every Friday night you can enjoy Les Estivales near la Place de la Comedie: Live music, lot of food and wine. Don't miss to obtain your "PassCulture" by 8euros a year you get big discounts on tickets for movies, festivals, concerts, theater and Opera.

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How much does it cost to live in Montpellier?

The main cost is just renting and food. Renting can be from 300euros to 600 max for a "colocation" when you share a house or apartment with others students. Students residence are good options as well for whom prefers to stay more private. In France, a great advantage is the CAF that is a subvention for housing that everybody with a valid contract and a residence permit can apply, thus your rent cost decrease considerable.

For transportation, you either bike or use the tram. But the city size allows you enjoy to walk to the center in a few minutes.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Montpellier? Is there any advice you can give?

Sometimes it gets difficult to find a good place specially in the historical center. You can try to find in here.

If you apply for the student residences in much easier. You can ask directly to your university or search more information in here.

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What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Several options from the most sophisticated and classic french cuisine till cheap fries and kebab places. The supermarket and the farmers market (Tuesday and Saturday morning at Les Arceaux) offers a variety of ingredients if you feel like cooking something new.

What places would you recommend visiting in Montpellier?

A picnic in La Esplanada du Peyrou in summer is a great option, the zoo is not far from the city, is free and big so don't hesitate to go. The beach are just 30 min by tram. For trekking the Pic St. Loup a few km from Montpellier wil offer a great view. Don't miss to visit the vineyard near this area!

Is it good to eat out in Montpellier? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Several options specially in the center, my favorite restaurant is the Noodle Bar. Asian/French fusion cusine great flavor, friendly staff, good prices. French cusine: Chez Ouam is a good option. Another great and really cheap option is the Kung Noodles in Montpellier, just in front of the train station, if you are coming back tired from a trip and feeling like eating something warm, quick and cheap this is the place.

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Is the nightlife good in Montpellier? Where is good to go?

Go to the center for a beer or some cocktails during happy hour is a good deal. Personally I like La Distillerie located in Rue de l'Aguillerie but many bars in this street or nearby can offer a good vibe, near place de la Comedie you find El Cubanito is a salsa/latin bar ideally for a dancing. All the bars close at 1am so if you want to continue the party you must go either the clubs outside the city -Lattes- that stay open till 7am

What advice would you give future students headed to Montpellier?

If you want to learn/practice/improve your french, you have took a good decision by going to Montpellier. Is a medium size city that offers you several options to enrich your academic exchange. The train station is located in the center and will allow you to travel anywhere in France, also Barcelone, Amsterdam and Brussels, the airport is just 15min by bus from the city and connects with interesting destinations (London, Rotterdam, Marrakesh, Frankfurt, Rome)