Three countries and just a little over two weeks in, we arrive in Montpellier in southern France. It's an old historical town that's large in size for a coastal Mediterranean city.
Already as we step out of the train station, we experience a different climate, a unique laidback vibe. Not to sound cheesy but you can almost feel Africa right there across the Mediterranean. Definitely did not feel like France other than the architecture and language. Above photo is in the Place de la Comédie, plaza of shopping and entertainment.
We had time in the day to kill before meeting up with our couchsurfing host. As soon as we headed out of the train station, we spotted a hotel next to a McDonalds that let us pay them to leave our baggage for the day.
From there it was an easy walk through the city centerWe ate a nice lunch at Ma Première Cantine, a cute cafe in a plaza part of the city center where all the restaurants have their tables out in the summertime. They also had a nice selection of baked goods and Mariage Frères tea inside.
Delicious light simple meal.
Cafe Solo, the perfect kind of cafe for us girls: independent, cute cozy decor, great coffee, and free wifi.
Cafe Solo's "PiPi Room".
In a bookstore. Why does France always have the cutest children books? And why do I always want to buy them all despite the fact that I don't have any kids?
Walk west through the city center past the Porte du Peyrou (triumphal arch) to see the Chateau d'Eau standing magnificently over the city with a still water pond front.
Behind the Chateau d'Eau is the 17th century Saint Clément Aqueduct.
According to this website, this 800-meter-long aqueduct used to bring in water from the St. Clément spring into a water tank near the triumphal arch, from where it would flow into fountains and public water points.
Our stay in Montpellier was short, but it was nice to take a stop in this town, meet our friendly CS host, and take a nice break from the big cities before heading into Provence.
