Collège de la petite Camargue

On Tuesday 5^th May, the European workshop 3e (“atelier européen”) went to Montpellier for an English tour of the old city. At ten o’clock, we met our guide, Magalie, on the place de la Comédie.

She told us about the history of Montpellier: in 985, the earl of Melgueil wanted to thank Knight Guilhem, so he gave him a piece of land. Montpellier was built on top of a hill so we could see far away. The salt was taken from the salins in Aigues-Mortes and there was a port of commerce. In 1204 Peter of Aragon founded the kingdom of Montpellier. In the 16^th century, Montpellier was peopled by protestants however the catholic king, Louis XIII killed them.

During the 18^th century, the inhabitants of Montpellier needed water, so a fountain connected to Saint-Clément-de-Riviere’s aqueduct was built on the place de la Comédie. In the 19^th century, the architect Cassien built the theatre on the comedy place; it’s a copy of the opera Garnier in Paris.

After these explanations on the place de la Comédie, we walked to the rue de la Loge and we saw shells on the floor: the shell is the symbol of the Pilgrims going to Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle.

Then, we went to a “hôtel particulier” (Montpellier families’ private residences). We visited its garden and we saw the cellars.

After, we saw the prefecture and the halles Castellane.

We went to the rue Foch and we saw the courthouse and the Arc de Triomphe / Porte des Grammairiens.

Then, we went up the Arc de Triomphe. The view was beautiful.

When we went down, the guide explained to us that the Peyrou garden was made for the king. After, we went to eat our picnic in the Peyrou gardens.

At three o’clock, we went to the Fabre museum. There we saw many paintings by Courbet and Soulage. It was very interesting.

We thank Mrs Tournier and Mr Papouin for organising the visit and Mr Arribat for supporting our workshop.