Architecture and designContemporary discovery of Montpellier

Capital of architecture and design

I think it’s the first thing you notice when you visit Montpellier: its one-of-a-kind architecture. I made the most of a short stop in the city to visit Montpellier Contemporain. Fancy it? Come along and join me on an eye-opening day out!

Saint-Roch Train Station Start

Rendez-vous with design
I admit, my mission is fairly unique: I’ve come to see the side of Montpellier that many may miss. I’m into the city’s trendy architecture. It’s so true to its time.

Set off from the white nave

It’s 9.53am when I get off the train this morning. I’m so pleased to be here, I’ve been looking forward to it! I take the lift to the station’s concourse and what a surprise! A kind of huge nave with white walls looms above me. It’s like being in a future-forward church, which is fairly unique in itself!

A design-led tram
Now I’m on a blue tram dotted with white swallows, it’s a first for me. There are more in gold, with green and orange flowers… that’s pretty unique too.

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Antigone a film set

I put my smartphone away so I can soak up as much as I can see from the tram window. Along the way I see the ultra-modern and entirely glazed Emile Zola media centre.

It’s like you’re in an American business district. The next building is just as modern: it’s the Antigone Olympic pool. Nestled in its namesake’s district, this Greco-Roman building was designed by Ricardo Bofill and is completely unique. You’d think you were on a film set. The masts standing proud on the rooftop make the pool look like a huge ocean liner!

From the Arbre Blanc (White Tree) To Port Marianne district!

I spot the Arbre Blanc on the other side of the river. You must be able to see every rooftop in the city from the bar at the top. This huge white apartment building with balconies hanging in mid-air is crazier than some of this century’s greatest architectural feats. It was designed by Sou Fujimoto Architects, Nicolas Laisné Architects, DREAM and Oxo Architects.

Port Marianne, the cool new neighbourhood
The Town Hall finally comes into view. The huge parallelepiped designed by Jean Nouvel is made of glass and blue aluminium and it takes my breath away. You have to stop here to see all its details up close!

I continue my visit on foot to see more of the Port Marianne district. There are no architectural standards here: none of the buildings look the same. They’re modern, cool, colourful or patterned I’d love to live here!

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From Nuage to Folie Divine

I pass by Bassin Jacques Cœur where peace and quiet reign: what luck to have a place like this in the heart of the city! I walk to Nuage by Philippe Starck. It’s come highly recommended. It’s a delicate, ethereal and transparent building with inflatable bubbles.

The nearby RBC Design building is designed by Jean Nouvel (the brains behind the new Town Hall). It’s a temple for design enthusiasts with outstanding designer pieces and contemporary features. Its metallic and ethereal interior is as breathtaking as its exterior with giant letters.

Lots of little jets spurt out of the ground between the two buildings: the Water Mirror.

I follow the tram tracks towards Odysseum and come to the foot of Folie Divine. Again, I’m completely blown away. The building is beautiful, well-crafted, on the cutting edge of design and modern style. Love it!

Design-led education

I end my tour… in a college. Yes, you read that right! Lycée Georges Frêche to be precise! You can’t miss this structure, it’s like a puzzle with aluminium triangle pieces: what a genius idea Massimiliano Fuksas had bringing students into a futuristic vessel!

It gets you thinking! I buy myself a chocolate éclair from the school’s cake shop and am pleased I’ve decided to go on a little detour: firstly because the éclair is delicious but mainly because I’m greeted by an incredible piece of art: a giant green whisk. Emulsion is by the French artist Matali Crasset. When you hear that the whisk is to mayonnaise what learning and knowledge are to students, it all makes sense. Especially here!

Top tip
Lycée Georges Frêche has its own restaurant, brasserie, hotel and shop: visit and pick up pastries, bread, cake and dishes made by the students themselves.