Over 1,000 years old, MONTPELLIER today is a pleasing mixture of old and new, an historical yet thoroughly modern city.

It has approximately 230,000 inhabitants and boasts of having the oldest European university, which, along with other tertiary institutions and centres of advanced research, welcomes over 60,000 students annually.
Its medieval streets and beautiful 17th and 18th century town houses provide an atmospheric backdrop to an animated café life and Montpellier's renowned modern and classical cultural events. And, only a few kilometers away, lie miles and miles of uncrowded Mediterranean beaches.

The Alliance Françaises of Montpellier prides itself on the quality of its cultural activities, too. We organise visits to plays, concerts, lectures and readings. Museums, galleries, guided tours of the historical centre and excursions further afield are all part of our project. During the various festivals in Montpellier, we extend these activities beyond music and theater to dance and film as well.