While many families are off skiing, my daughters and I often take advantage of a day or two of their two-week February holiday to enjoy shopping, sun and cinema in Montpellier.It is exhilarating to cross the Millau viaduct, sense the dreary isolation of the Larzac plateau, descend the precipitous and infamous pas de l'Esacalette, and suddenly find ourselves surrounded by vinyards and glorious warmth.
This year was the first time that the weather didn't play the game, which allowed us to discover Montpellier under a new light:
We hadn't come for shades of black and beige, but the tones left us with a new impression of the city.
18 comments:
Looks just like England ;-)
It's amazing how a simple shift in weather can color completely new views of a place. Even the sentiments change, a new avenue of emotion. Or maybe I'm just overthinking. ;-)
No, Randal, that's what my post was about -- thanks for getting it!
It still a lovely city. And it is good in a way that you could uncover some other charms to the city.
Betty C., I would not like to attempt to navigate the past de l'Esacalette. My hat is off to you. Great links to your past posts; you're a great photographer/chronicler.
Thank you, tut-tut. I am building up a lot of material, so I may as well link back to it when I can!
Lovely!!!
Though the weather was less than nice, the pictures turned out fabulously. I am still nervious about draggin my camera out in public places.
How different the colors are just a a couple of departments away...we desperately need some rain here.
My last memory of Montpellier was during the floods of 2005. I was stuck in the train station overnight, I had my "oral" for my Maitrise in Gap the next day and wasn't sure when I would be able to get there... So I do remember the rain.
I have to go there when it's sunny sometimes...
Fascinating photos - I kind of liked it under a new light :-)
Btw: Norwegian and Swedish food is very much alike, but fermented fish is special for Norway.
It reminds me of Paris ... but then again, I don't go to Montpellier in winter!
lost in france, I was very surprised at the resemblance between Paris and Montpellier -- even when it is sunny. I was expecting something much more colorful. But it is a gorgeous city nonetheless.
I want to drive that viaduct! Maybe we'll get down that way this summer. When we lived in Andorra we occassionally made it to Monpellier. Too bad about the weather...or not! It sheds a different light on everything!
Nice links too: turns it into a little trip to France.
:))
Although we think so fondly of sunshine and clear skies, the rain does give a fresh perspective of a city or scenery, doesn't it? Great photos!
Don't you just love that place de la Comedie? I think it's lovely in every season, although can be intensely hot in the summer.
I live about 50 minutes from the city and try to get in as often as possible. Glad you enjoyed your trip regardless of the weather!
duchess, I always enjoy Montpellier. I used to be more into Toulouse -- we're about halfway between the two -- but find Montpellier much more pedestrian-friendly and less exhausting. Don't worry, we had a nice time anyway. And even if the weather had been awful, there's always the Polygone!
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