FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Montpellier

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Montpellier and Perpignan each year. The main ones are listed below.

On the first of May, it is customary to offer a sprig of lily-of-the-valley to close ones. Many vendors occupy the pavement on that occasion!

Also celebrated internationally as World Music Day, for this festival many free concerts featuring all types of music are held in the streets and at various venues across both Montpellier and Perpignan.

This holiday celebrates both the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, the key event marking the beginning of the French Revolution, and the end of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the aristocracy. In Montpellier and Perpignan, festivities similar to those in all other French cities are organised: parades, concerts and fireworks displays.

This celebration, still very popular in Montpellier and Perpignan, is marked by the faithful with religious processions and ceremonies through the streets.

The aim of the European Heritage Days is to open up numerous sites and monuments, many of which are normally closed to the public. A great opportunity for a lovely stroll through either city to admire architectural treasures!

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Montpellier

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	3/37	12/54	55/2.2	Not the best period to go
February	3/37	13/55	51/2.0	Not the best period to go
March	6/43	16/61	34/1.3	Not the best period to go
April	9/48	18/64	55/2.2	Not the best period to go
May	12/54	22/72	42/1.7	Good period to go
June	16/61	26/79	27/1.1	Good period to go
July	19/66	29/84	16/0.6	Good period to go
August	19/66	29/84	34/1.3	Good period to go
September	15/59	25/77	80/3.1	Good period to go
October	12/54	20/68	96/3.8	Not the best period to go
November	7/45	15/59	66/2.6	Not the best period to go
December	4/39	12/54	67/2.6	Not the best period to go

Perpignan and Montpellier International Airports

Montpellier Méditerranée Airport

• One terminal

• By car
  • Accessible via the A9 (La Catalane).
  • There are four parking areas at the airport, for short, medium and long-term stays. From EUR 3.60 to EUR 6.10 for 1 hour, EUR 11 for 1 day.
  • Several car rental companies have counters in the arrivals hall.
• By shuttle bus
  • Bus line 120 connects the airport with Place de l'Europe. The trip takes about 15 minutes and the fare is EUR 1.60 each way.
• By taxi
  • Taxis are available at the ranks outside the terminal. The trip to central Montpellier takes about 10-15 minutes and costs around EUR 20.

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +33 (0)4 68 52 60 70
• Website: http://www.aeroport-perpignan.com

Montpellier Méditerranée Airport

• One terminal

• By car
  • Accessible via the D66 and the D172.
  • There are five parking areas at the airport, plus a pick-up and drop-off zone in front of the terminal. The Proxi facilities (P2 and P3) are intended for the shortest stays (EUR 1.30 for up to 15 minutes, EUR 3.60 for 1 hour, EUR 11.00 for 24 hours). The Confort facility (P4) is best for stays of 3–6 days (EUR 33.00), whereas the Eco facilities (P6 and P8) offer reduced rates for stays of 7–15 days (EUR 25.00), 16–21 days (EUR 40.00) and 22–30 days (EUR 60.00).
  • Several car rental companies have counters in the arrivals hall.
• By shuttle bus and tram
  • Bus 120, operated by Hérault Transport, connects the airport with Place de l'Europe (about 2 kilometres east of Place de la Comédie) every hour. The trip takes about 15 minutes and the fare is EUR 1.60 each way. At Place de l'Europe you can transfer to Line 1 of Montpellier's tram system in order to reach other destinations in the city. A combined bus-tram ticket is available for EUR 2.60.
• By taxi
  • Taxis are available at the ranks outside the terminal. The trip to central Montpellier takes about 15 minutes and costs around EUR 20.

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +33 (0)4 67 20 85 00
• Website: www.montpellier.aeroport.fr

Perpignan-Rivesaltes International Airport

• One terminal

• By car
  • Accessible via the A9 motorway (La Catalane).
  • A parking facility with a total of 517 spaces is available (free for the first 15 minutes, EUR 3.60 for up to 1 hour, EUR 18 for 1 day, EUR 20 for 2 days and EUR 10 for each additional day).
  • Several car rental companies have counters in the arrivals hall.
• By shuttle bus
  • CTPM Bus line 7 (ShuttleDirect). Leaves every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday. The trip takes about 10 minutes and the fare is EUR 4.50 each way.
• By taxi
  • Taxis are available at the ranks outside the terminal. The trip to central Perpignan costs around EUR 20.
• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +33 (0)4 68 52 60 70
• Website: www.aeroport-perpignan.com/en

GETTING AROUND Montpellier

Montpellier offers excellent public transport options. The city's buses and trams can get you almost anywhere, and run late into the evening. If your destination is not on the bus routes or tram lines, you can always take a taxi or walk. In fact, the city's entire historic centre, one of the largest in France, is a pedestrian zone.

Perpignan is a relatively compact city and most sights are within walking distance of each other. If desired, the city also has an efficient network of bus routes covering the entire metropolitan area.

Montpellier by bus

Montpellier has 29 bus routes covering the whole metropolitan area. Two buses run at night every day: the Rabelais (bus 15) which runs all day during the week, and the Amigo, which runs a circuit connecting destinations in the city centre with the night clubs and dance spots on the outskirts (on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.) One ticket costs EUR 1.60.

Montpellier by tram

Currently, Montpellier has four tram lines, three of which cover the city from edge to edge while the last circular one connects up all the others in the city centre. Getting around by tram is a pleasant way to discover the city, and while there may not be that many stations on these lines, any intermediate points can be reached easily by bus or on foot. The integrated single ticket costs EUR 1.60.

Montpellier by bicycle

Bicycles are an ideal solution for exploring Montpellier, which offers more than 137 kilometres (85 miles) of cycling paths. Bike lanes have even been set up on some of the city's sidewalks. Vélomagg, the city's public bike-sharing system, has 51 stations distributed throughout the city, along the routes taken by the buses and trams. The rental fee is just EUR 0.50 per hour.

Montpellier by taxi

Taxis are another option for getting around Montpellier. Expect to pay between EUR 10 and EUR 15 for a trip within the city centre.

Perpignan by bus

Buses are the most convenient mode of transport to travel both shorter and longer distances in the city and the surrounding area. The routes operated by Compagnie de Transports Perpignan Méditerranée (CTPM) serve all districts within the city as well as nearby towns. A single ticket costs EUR 1.20.

Perpignan by taxi

Taxis are a useful option for getting around Perpignan. A short ride in the city centre costs about EUR 10.

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Montpellier or Perpignan, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.

Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Address: 30 Allée Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, 34000 Montpellier
• Telephone: +33 (0)4 67 60 60 60
• Website: www.montpellier-france.com

Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Address: Place François Arago, 66000 Perpignan
• Telephone: +33 (0)4 68 66 30 30
• Website: http://www.perpignantourisme.com

The official website maintained by Atout France, the French tourism development agency, provides a wealth of information on Perpignan and Montpellier.

• Website: http://uk.france.fr/

Currency and Exchange Rates

The currency used in France is the Euro (EUR).

R$ 1 = € 0,23

€ 1 = R$ 4,35

The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.

Medical information

There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to France. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38 Quai de Jemmapes 75010 Paris
• Website: http://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

There are no specific food safety risks. French government authorities promote good hygiene practices and put in place strengthened control procedures for sites especially frequented by tourists during the summer months.

Tap water is safe to drink in Perpignan and Montpellier.

Administrative formalities

Directory of foreign embassies and consulates in France

The directory made available online by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in French only) includes addresses and contact details for all foreign embassies and consulates in France:
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/le-ministere-et-son-reseau/annuaires-et-adresses-du-maedi/ambassades-et-consulats-etrangers-en-france

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Montpellier or Perpignan and France, be sure to check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country for the latest travel information and recommendations.

As a general rule, a visa is required to enter France. Foreign nationals in the two categories listed below are not required to carry a visa for stays of 90 days or less:

• Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or the Swiss Confederation
• Citizens or nationals of several other countries.

For stays of more than 90 days, a long-stay visa is required. Travellers from all other countries must be in possession of a visa, regardless of the length of their stay. Visa applications must be submitted to the nearest French Embassy or French Consulate in the country of permanent residence well in advance of departure. For further information, visit the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr

Useful addresses

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Montpellier or Perpignan, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Essential phrases

Good to know

intl. access code + 33

+ phone number without the 0 (calls to Perpignan and Montpellier)

5 : 00
of time difference with
Sao Paulo

Start of daylight saving time: last Sunday in March

End of daylight saving time: last Sunday in October

Banks
Usually open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (some branches stay open until 6 p.m.)

Government Offices
Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

230 V / 50 Hz

Tipping
In Perpignan and Marseille, like elsewhere in France, a service charge is always included in the bill. If you are particularly pleased with the service, you may certainly leave a few extra euros on the table. But this additional tip is neither expected nor necessary.