New York Habitat Blog

Summer not only means vacations at the beach; it’s also a great time for music festivals, both indoors and out.  Many larger cities in the South of France offer festivals in the summer, highlighting just about every musical genre. In the next few weeks, we’ll be looking at some of the best and letting you know what vacation rentals New York Habitat has to offer in the region.  This week, we’ll explore Le Festival de Radio France et Montpellier Languedoc-Roussillon, a two week festival featuring classical music and opera.

Montpillier South of France

Beginning on July 14th, and continuing on through the end of the month, this festival a must for classical music lovers.  Nightly events include recitals, choral concerts, and operas, both staged and in concert format.  There are also numerous free events going on throughout the festival, including recitals by young musicians, films, and even some jazz and electronic music.  Many of these events are held in the city’s historic courtyards.  There are also two museum exhibits to see: one featuring Stradivarius violins and violas, and a retrospective of the work of 19th century artist Gustave Courbet, which was just recently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

And when you want to break away from the festival activities, there is plenty to do in Montpellier itself.  One of the oldest university towns in Europe, medieval and other ancient architecture can be seen throughout the city.  Talk a walk through the Esplanade or the city square to enjoy many shops and restaurants or pick a café in which to sit, relax and people-watch for a few hours.  There are also splendid botanical gardens to enjoy and the Musée Fabre, which mainly houses European painting and sculpture, and which recently underwent an extensive renovation.

South of France apartment: Montpellier retnal PR-298

New York Habitat has many offerings in Montpellier from which you can choose.  For instance, there is this 3 bedroom rental in the Antigone section Montpellier (PR-298), one of the most sought-after residential districts of the city, due to its many buildings designed by the famous Spanish architect, Ricardo Bofill.  The apartment itself is clean and simply furnished.  The separate kitchen and bathroom are both modern and the sunny bedrooms offer amazing views of the city.

If you enjoy classical music, opera, or both, Le Festival de Radio France et Montpellier Languedoc-Roussillon is not to be missed. Not only will you hear some great music, but you’ll also be vacationing in a wonderful city in its own right.  With a vacation rental from New York Habitat, you’ll feel much more at home and like a true Montpelliard!

Have you visited Montpellier before?  Do you have any recommendations or tips for those wishing to go?  Please share them with us in our comments section.

In the heart of the Languedoc Roussillon region of the South of France is Montpellier, a dynamic city known for its intellectual life centered around the University, one of the oldest in the country.  Though a far cry from the pastoral Provencal villages nearby, Montpellier is worth seeing for its own more cosmopolitan attractions.

Montpellier, France (Provence)

The city boasts diverse examples of architecture representing a tour through history:  the 12th century Mikvé is one of the oldest Jewish baths in Europe; a 13th century Benedictine monastery became the Faculty of Medicine in 1289, Europe’s oldest medical school. From the 14th century, Saint Pierre Cathedral still stands as the only church to have survived the religious wars. And at the heart of historic Montpellier are over 70 private mansions, examples of classic 17th and 18th century architecture, which are open to visitors.  Surrounding Montpellier are grand buildings, lit beautifully at night.  One is the famous Place de la Comédie, the focal point of the city, which  houses the statue of the Three Graces, the symbolic Greek “goddesses” of the city.  Two opera houses, the Opéra Berlioz and the Opéra Comédie, are home to famous orchestras and  many year-round performances.  Modern design is also a part of Montpellier, displayed in the city’s Antigone district which was designed in 1979 by Catalonian architect Ricardo Bofill. 

This district incorporates 20th century stylistic elements reminiscent of Eastern bloc countries- quite a contrast from the ornate and grand buildings in the historic center of Montpellier.  Apart from the buildings, the city has its own “island of green,” the oldest botanical garden in France, complete with a research garden and a forest school for botanists.

Montpellier, France (Provence)

New York Habitat offers ideal accommodations to enjoy the architectural treasures of this southern French city. In the Antigone district, New York Habitat offers a 2 bedroom vacation apartment in Montpellier (PR-297), perfect for four or five people, or a 3-bedroom vacation apartment (PR-298), which sleeps six. These accommodations are in a modern apartment building featuring conveniences like an elevator and a concierge who can assist visitors with Opera tickets or guided tours of the city.  From the living room window of both apartments you’ll have access to incredible views of the Lez River over the Hotel de Région.  These apartments are situated within walking distance of the historical center and the Place de la Comédie.  Visitors here will enjoy the many restaurants and shops that line the banks of the Lez River outside the apartment building, as well as an Olympic swimming pool one block away. Connecting Antigone and the beach is a 10 kilometer track perfect for running or biking that takes you to the Mediterranean Sea in a short stroll.

Closer to the historic center are more New York Habitat accommodations to choose from, like a 1-bedroom vacation apartment in Montpellier (PR-793).  This one-bedroom loft apartment is on the fourth floor, and can accommodate four.  It is within a few minutes’ walking distance of the Place de la Comédie.  An open-beam high ceiling and two skylights in the living room lend a lot of light to this loft.  Excellent amenities, like a flat screen TV, DVD player and Wifi Internet access, make your stay easy and comfortable.

South of France Accommodation: Hosted 2 Bedroom in Montpellier (PR-86)

Just outside the city, in a residential district, New York Habitat also offers a hosted 2-bedroom vacation apartment in Montpellier (PR-86).  This bed and breakfast apartment offers two independent bedrooms and can accommodate four people. Guests have a private bathroom and private entrance, as well as parking space under a covered terrace outside.  There is shared access to the living-room, the spacious renovated kitchen and the landscaped outdoor swimming pool and beautiful grounds.  Though there is plenty of privacy, the welcoming owner of this residence gives guided excursions to the most interesting sights in the area, if requested.

Whether you’d prefer stay in the historical old town, a modern high-rise or a large residence outside the city, New York Habitat offers accommodations that provide excellent access to all that Montpellier has to offer.