Giants of the south: Toulouse and Montpellier

In this edition of Rendez-vous, presenter Bernard Sabbah takes us down south to Toulouse and Montpellier. He got the inside story on where to go and what to see from two local experts: Fanny Dombre-Coste and Georges Breille. 

MAKE IT YOUR DESTINATION PORTRAIT Bernard Sabbah, travel guru

Georges BRIELLE, Member of the Association of Friends of Old Toulouse
“Toulouse - not counting the banks of the Garonne River and Canal du Midi - has an estimated 1,000 hectares of parkland. There are 164 large parks and gardens and more than 600 green areas. It’s known as the Pink City because of the colour of the bricks but this is also the city of pastel blue. The remnants of the city’s trade in pastel blue dye are seen in the city’s balconies and shutters. I have brought you here to the courtyard of the Hotel d’Assezat, a 16th century Renaissance palace that is the symbol of Toulouse’s Golden Age. It’s an example of how successful the pastel trade was. Toulouse’s main monument is the Capitole, the seat of municipal power since the 12th century. The magnificent facade was built in the 18th century and enhanced by a large square which is a popular meeting place. The city’s Basilica of St. Sernin is also remarkable – it is Europe’s largest preserved Romanesque building. Built in the 11th and 12th centuries, it was a centre of pilgrimage. Toulouse also has the Church of the Jacobins, built by the Dominican Order in the 13th and 14th centuries. It has a particularly magnificent Gothic vault with 22 rib arches radiating from a pillar known as the palm tree. Toulouse is also, of course, associated with the Canal du Midi, which was inscribed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1996. More than 240 km long, it stretches from Toulouse to the Mediterranean near Montpellier.

Fanny DOMBRE-COSTE, Photographer (Montpellier)
In Montpellier, we cultivate quality of life. Our green spaces include, of course, the Place Royale du Peyrou just behind me, and the Jardin des Plantes, which is a beautiful, historic, botanical garden. It has a wishing tree where lovers from all over the world can make a wish. Come and leave your piece of paper in the hollow of the tree and maybe your wish will come true. Montpellier has the largest pedestrian area in Europe and promotes all alternatives to the car, such as cycling and the trams. We even grow flowers on our tram lines! The main meeting place is the Place de la Comédie. Its Three Graces statue standing for joy, charm and elegance is the symbol of the city. We like to mix styles here - the light is so beautiful it illuminates our ancient heritage … (and) straight along from the aqueduct you have the Arc de Triomphe which is the place to go for a panoramic view. You can explore the central Ecusson district and its magnificent Haussmann architecture. And at the start of Avenue Foch, you can see the city’s new districts, including the Antigone area designed by Ricardo Bofill.

Montpellier and Toulouse are leading scientific centres. Toulouse is internationally-recognized for its aerospace industry and Montpellier is home to the world’s oldest – still active - medical school.

Georges BRIELLE
“The aerospace industry in Toulouse began in early 20th century. Aviation pioneers Jean Mermoz and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry had their headquarters in the Grand Balcon Hotel just off the Place du Capitole – the success of airmail led to growth of the aviation industry through the decades to the A380 Airbus we have today. We have several festivals linked to aerospace, including the “Shared Knowledge” festival, called The Novela.”

Fanny DOMBRE-COSTE
“In 1180 Guillem the 8th, the Consul of Montpellier, signed an edict stipulating that anyone, regardless of origin or religion, could come and teach medicine in Montpellier. The city’s Medical Faculty is located in a former Episcopal Palace next to Montpellier Cathedral. Students, in the past, had to present an anatomical model to be able to pass their exams in anatomy. Over the years the collection of anatomical pieces became so large it had to be stored – resulting in the faculty’s Museum of Anatomy. It is an extraordinary visit. Students would come here to learn anatomy by looking at quite exceptional casts and reproductions.”

While Toulouse and Montpellier combine science, architectural gems and sustainable development, the two cities also have much to offer in terms of festivals, art and culture. These are youthful cities with great nightlife – nothing to envy the streets of Barcelona!

One final attraction before we leave: sport! Montpellier and Toulouse played each other in the French rugby championship final! The French sports press has elected them as the two sport-oriented cities country ... proving that you can be active, festive and sporty ... If the cap fits!