NÎMES
In Nîmes, the ultimate Roman city, a tour guide will show you another side to the city, with the Carré d’Art by Norman Foster, a contemporary art centre containing the museum of modern art, the new Museum of Romanity, the Halles, a covered market full of local flavours redesigned by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, Place d’Assas and the fountain on Place du Marché by Martial Raysse, Place du Chapitre, Place de la Calade, the School of Fine Arts, the Esplanade and Avenue Feuchères…
MONTPELLIER
Then discover the city of Montpellier with a visit to La Panacée, an ancient site dedicated to medicine. Exhibition rooms, a media library, students' and artists' residencies... this place is completely dedicated to contemporary art. A visit to the architecture-themed Fabre Museum of Montpellier Mediterranean Metropolis is also a must, including a look at the museum's contemporary area.
GREAT ARCHITECTS IN MONTPELLIER
You can also discover contemporary Montpellier in the Antigone district created by Ricardo Bofill, along with the Port Marianne district and its architectural projects created by some big names: Jean Nouvel and François Fontès for the City Hall, Jean Nouvel for the RBC Design Center, Massimiliano Fuksas for the Lycée Georges Frèche secondary school, Le Nuage by Philippe Stark, L’Arbre Blanc by Sou Fujimoto…).
You can also discover Le Lez Market, an innovative cultural, creative and food hub that pays tribute to urban cultures, open since October 2016. Based in an old farmhouse on the banks of the River Lez, this "village in the city" contains shops, antique stores, farmers' markets, restaurants and startups. All year round, it offers activities and events, exhibitions and gatherings.
TOULOUSE
Your saga will continue in Toulouse, where you will find the prestigious Place du Capitole, Basilica of St. Sernin (a major stop for pilgrims on the Way of St. James and a UNESCO listed site), the Jacobins' cloister, and the Renaissance mansions (like the Hôtel d'Assézat), but also the Les Abattoirs modern and contemporary art centre. After the restoration in 2000, this centre moved into the old industrial site where butchers and slaughtermen had worked for 156 years. The various brick buildings built following Urbain Vitry's plan stand next to the Garonne and the ramparts surrounding the Saint-Cyprien district.
The Regional Tourist Board's press team is here to help you tailor this programme to suit your requirements and organise your trip to Occitania.
Getting here
- by car: Occitania has a large number of motorways (A9, A20, A61, A75, etc.).
- By plane: the region has several airports, including the international airports of Toulouse, Montpellier and Lourdes.
- By train: the region is accessible from all the major cities of France and the European capitals.