Arbreblanc_vuedepuislesrivesdulez

  • A thousand years of history
  • Must-sees in Montpellier

The Arbre Blanc (White tree)

The “White Tree”, designed by architects Sou Fujimoto, Nicolas Laisné and Manal Rachdi, has been enriching the architectural heritage of Montpellier since 2019.

Enfamille_Arbreblanc_verticale

A contemporary architectural feat

A bit of History

The White Tree, designed by architects Sou Fujimoto, Nicolas Laisné and Manal Rachdi , has been enriching Montpellier’s architectural heritage since 2019, with its 17 floors and 56 meters high.

We can say that it is the most amazing building in the city, a technological feat, an urban madness combining audacity and elegance!

A bar and an art gallery in the heart of the Tree

L’Arbre Blanc also houses a private art gallery “La Serre” organizing numerous exhibitions as well as a bar/restaurant “l’Arbre” with a splendid view of the banks of the Lez and the Antigone district. Gourmets will find refined French cuisine based on regional products.

Did you know ?

This contemporary “Folie” has many technical innovations, including cantilevered terraces up to 7.5 meters long (a world first in 2019), which show a way of living both “inside and outside “. These terraces also make it possible to reduce energy consumption.

This building was voted as the most beautiful residential building by ArchDaily magazine in 2020.

Arbre Blanc Vertical

Profitez de la vue !

Offrez vous une visite des lieux à petit prix avec l’Office de Tourisme lors des visites estivales « Point de vue »  !

Vous pouvez également en apprendre plus sur ce lieu contemporain emblématique avec la visite « Architectures contemporaines le long du Lez » qui vous offre un panorama global du quartier Port Marianne .

If you want to visit this place at a low price with the Tourist Office during the summer you may book “Point of view” visits (in French) !

You can also learn more about this emblematic contemporary place with the tour “Contemporary Architectures along the Lez”  which offers you a global panorama of the Port Marianne district.

  • Architectures contemporaines le long du Lez 

A good deal

With our City Card 24h, 48h, 72h, enjoy free access to our guided tours!

From 19€. Discounts and freebies. Save up to 60% with the 24 hr City Card!

Around   the White Tree

L'ARBRE RESTAURANT

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L'arbre blanc de Montpellier, la folie architecturale de Sou Fujimoto

Ce projet de tour excentrique est une première à Montpellier. L'"arbre blanc" sera construit entre 2015 et fin 2017, sur les bords du Lez à proximité de la bibliothèque universitaire. Haut de 17 étages, 56 mètres, il comptera 120 appartements et au sommet, un restaurant, un bar et une galerie d'art.

"Je me suis inspiré directement du climat montpelliérain et d'une qualité de vie tournée vers l'extérieur. Le logement devient ouvert et projeté vers l'extérieur" a dit Sou Fujimoto.

11 autres lieux sont pressentis aux abords des lignes de tramway pour les «Folies» architecturales du XXIe siècle Ligne 1 : - Mosson Sud (ex parking d’échange) - Place Manuguerra Ligne 2 : - Grisettes (rambla) - Route de Nîmes Ligne 3 : - rue Courreau - Coteau (carrefour d’Alco) Ligne 4 : - Moularès - Ilot Vernière Ligne 5 : - Recambale (cuisine centrale) - Place Domitienne (faculté de Lettres) - Ovalie

Le lauréat retenu par la Ville est l’équipe PROMEO-EVOLIS / SOU FUJIMOTO/ LAISNE-OXO

Pour aller plus loin :.

  • copier le lien https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/occitanie/herault/montpellier/arbre-blanc-montpellier-folie-architecturale-sou-fujimoto-428785.html
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L'Arbre Blanc

Montpellier

L’histoire, quand la terre s’élève entre mer et ciel.

Arbre-Blanc histoire

L’Arbre Blanc est avant tout le fruit d’une rencontre : une rencontre d’exception, au cœur de la métropole régionale, entre le Japon et la Méditerranée. Symbole vivant du Montpellier contemporain, cette hybridation des cultures est aussi un croisement entre deux générations d’architectes : une génération au sommet de son art, avec le Japonais Sou Fujimoto, dont c’est là le premier projet en France ; une génération montante qui incarne, Nicolas Laisné et Manal Rachdi, la nouvelle garde de l’architecture française. Autres acteurs engagés dans cette aventure singulière : le quatuor de promoteurs Groupe Promeo, Evolis Promotion, Crédit Agricole Languedoc Immobilier et Opalia, garants sur le terrain de la bonne mise en œuvre d’un projet emblématique pour toute la région.

C’est une rencontre de notre temps, telle que notre époque est capable d’en offrir mais que la Méditerranée, au fond, a toujours suscitée.

L’Arbre Blanc, c’est la blancheur éclatante des pierres du sud qui s’allie à la pureté, au raffinement de la culture japonaise. C’est enfin l’exaltation d’une liaison harmonieuse entre l’homme et le monde, entre l’intérieur et l’extérieur, propre à la culture taoïste, qui converse avec la générosité, l’expressivité, la joie de vivre des Méditerranéens.

La Méditerranée, jusqu’alors, s’était toujours définie entre terre et mer. Et si la Méditer­ranée du XXI siècle se réinventait dans le ciel sans perdre pour autant le contact avec la terre et la mer qui l’ont engendrée : tel est l’esprit de l’Arbre Blanc. La Tour se veut un point culminant dans la ville, tel l’immémorial Mont Fuji surgissant dans le ciel du Midi, confondu dans l’imaginaire collectif avec ses cerisiers en fleurs. Un repère urbain qui, la nuit tombée, se fera phare ou étoile, dans la skyline de la métropole régionale. Un point de vue unique sur le territoire, offert à tous les habitants et les visiteurs de la ville.

Après le quartier d’Antigone conçu par Ricardo Bofill, icône néo-classique du Montpel­lier du XXe siècle, qui rendait hommage à ses racines gréco-romaines, un nouvel arbre est en passe d’être planté de l’autre coté du Lez – manière pour nos contemporains de se rappeler au bon souvenir des générations futures : une icône du Montpellier de demain, enraciné dans le XXIe siècle – une icône dialoguant, depuis les nuages, avec un monde qui ne connait plus de frontières.

Montpellier_by_night

Capitale Méditerranéenne

Située sur l’arc méditerranéen, entre Barcelone et Marseille, Montpellier est un territoire  irrigué par des infrastructures efficaces (autoroutes A9 et A75, aéroport international, port du littoral, un des plus grands réseaux de tramway de France,…) et des projets ambitieux (doublement de l’A9, construction d’une gare TGV,…).

Taillé dans la rareté

S’élevant sur les berges du Lez, fleuve apportant vie et beauté, l’Arbre Blanc peut être considéré comme le cœur de cette forêt qu’est Montpellier capitale méditerranéenne. À la frontière de la vieille ville historique pleine de charme et des nouveaux quartiers fourmillant de dynamisme tels que Port Marianne et d’Odysseum. L’Arbre Blanc occupera une position stratégique pour la ville de Montpellier à l’intersection de plusieurs flux : le Lez, la voie rapide, la promenade piétonne et cyclable sur les berges. L’Arbre Blanc, c’est une situation rare au cœur de la capitale méditerranéenne, à seulement 5mn du cœur de ville, de la gare TGV ou de l’aéroport international et à 10mn des plages. Cet arbre majestueux offre à tous les habitants un point de vue exceptionnel, en plus de s’inscrire parfaitement dans l’horizon montpelliérain.

La simplicité au quotidien

Au pied de L’Arbre Blanc, vous accédez directement aux transports (tramway, bus, accès autoroute…) ainsi qu’ aux commerces de proximité, centres commerciaux, établissements scolaires, lieux culturels et de loisirs…

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La Boutique

Sur la boutique du château la tour blanche.

Sur cette boutique, le Château La Tour Blanche, premier grand cru classé 1855 de Sauternes a le plaisir de vous proposer ces vins d’exceptions produits sur la propriété en appellation Sauternes et Bordeaux. En plus de cela, vous retrouverez également sur cette boutique les vins de nos confrères du Château Dillon, Cru Bourgeois du Médoc, Château Grand Baril à Montagne Saint-Emilion et Lalande de Pomerol ainsi que le Château Luchey Halde en Pessac Léognan. Tous ces Châteaux transmettent leurs valeurs uniques à travers l’enseignement agricole.

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Château La Tour Blanche 2019

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"Excellence et Finesse"  1er Grand Cru Classé de Sauternes   51€ La Bouteille 26€ La Demi-bouteille

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"Sagesse et Volupté" 1er Grand Cru Classé de Sauternes 163€ La bouteille

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Travel, photography, the great outdoors, the slow life - from Wales & beyond - with Ben Holbrook

Montpellier Travel Blog Guide with Things to Do, Southern France - by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-1-3

Best Things to Do in Montpellier, France in 1 or 2 Days ~ A Flâneur’s Guide

Last updated on February 9, 2023

Nuzzled away deep in the south of France, just outside the region of Provence and only 10 km from the Mediterranean Sea, Montpellier is undeniably one of the most charming cities in Europe.

And because it’s such a compact and walkable city, you can enjoy the best of Montpellier in just a day or two.

Why Montpellier?

Montpellier the ‘Surdouée’ (Gifted One)

tour blanche montpellier

The city’s roots date back to the 10th century and the historic ‘Écusson’ (old town) is a labyrinth of well-worn sandstone buildings, of sun-bleached-mint window shutters and leafy little nooks filled with pretty café terraces. 

In many ways Montpellier offers all the joys of Paris – the art, the food and wine, the architecture and light – but in a much more smaller, more maanageageable and affordable package.

Montpellier the Bohemian

Montpellier, South of France Travel Blog Guide and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com (Copyright Ben Holbrook 2019 onwards)10

On our first outing, for example, while studying the locals as I tend to do, I noticed a professorial-looking gentleman dressed in beige corduroy trousers and a smart blazer – a fresh baguette wedged under his arm. But this perfectly clichéd scene was thrown off kilter by the fact he was wearing a pair of bright purple Dr. Martens (the ankle-high military boot type).

In a supermarket we were served by an elderly lady with candy-apple-red hair, matching dress, nails, lipstick and a pair of over-sized flower power glasses with – you guessed it – electric red lenses. She was, I also deduced, responsible for the psychedelic rock soundtrack that was causing the aisles to rattle.

Montpellier, South of France Travel Blog Guide and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com (Copyright Ben Holbrook 2019 onwards)10

N othing in Montpellier is ever quite as straightforward as it may at first appear. 

Montpellier the Happening University Town

Montpellier, South of France Travel Blog Guide and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com (Copyright Ben Holbrook 2019 onwards)10

There are three universities here, the most famous being the medical faculty, which was founded in the 12th century and survives as the  world’s oldest  medical school  still in operation.

Montpellier the Gateway to Southern France

tour blanche montpellier

You can hop on the high-speed RENFE SNCF train to famous French towns like Séte, Narbonne, Avignon, Marseille and Aix en Provence in no time at all, or even get to Barcelona in less than 3 hours.

Things to Do, See, Eat and Drink in Montpellier, Southern France

As with any French town or city, my main recommendation is simply to put your flâneur skills to good use. To amble the along the esplanade, to park yourself on a café terrace and watch the world go by. To dine wherever you stumble across crowds (you will definitely spot this in Montpellier).

But if you’d like a little more direction, read on to see my recommended things to do in Montpellier, based on our whirlwind two-day visit towards the end of last summer.

Start the Day with ‘U ne Petite Journée’  (Breakfast)

Start the Day with 'Une Petite Journée' (Breakfast) - Montpellier Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-4807

As you’d be right to imagine, you can find good coffee and pastries at countless cafés and boulangeries (bakeries) in Montpellier, but we loved starting the day at Le Petite Nice Café in the leafy square of Place Jean Jaurès (also a great place for your evening aperitif).

'Une Petite Journée' at Le Petit Nice, Montpellier (Breakfast) - Montpellier Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-4807

It’s the kind of place where locals gather to shoot the breeze with friends, or enjoy a moment of solitude and read the newspaper.

Brioche Dorée, Montpellier, South of France Travel Blog Guide and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com (Copyright Ben Holbrook 2019 onwards)6

Orientate Yourself in Placa Comédie

Placa Comédie is Montpellier’s main square and most emblematic landmark, the city’s ‘ pièce de resistance’.

Montpellier, Placa Comédie Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-5558

Place de la Comédie plays an important role in local life, acting as a central meeting point and gateway to the city (the train station is just a quick stroll away).

Stop for an over-priced coffee at the historic Café Riche , have a peak inside 18th century L’Opera Comedie theatre , which the square is named after, and be sure to take a few snaps of the many grandiose buildings that fringe the square.

You have arrived.

Saunter Your Way Along Esplanade Charles de Gaulle

Montpellier, Esplanade Charles de GaulleTravel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-5538

It’s peppered with pretty little outdoor cafés and bandstands and is exactly where you want to be on a sunny day in Montpellier.

Montpellier Esplanade Charles de Gaulle, Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-5528

Get a Fix of Art and Culture at the Musée Fabre

Musée Fabre, Montpellier Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-5587

Be warned that this is by no means a small museum and you’ll want plenty of time and energy to make the most of your visit.

Musée Fabre, Montpellier Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-5587

Get Lost in L’Écusson (the Old Town) and Discover the Main Sights

L'Écusson, Montpellier's old town Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-4979

It’s the kind of place you can happily spend hours, days and even weeks wandering and getting lost, but also the kind of place where you always seem to end up at a familiar landmark (again).

Montpellier L'Écusson Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-4986

Conquer Montpellier’s Porte du Peyrou / Arc de Triomphe

Dedicated to King Louis XIV of France, aka the ‘Sun King’, the Porte du Peyrou ( Arc de Triomphe)  is Montpellier’s most iconic landmark.

Montpellier's Porte du Peyrou / Arc de Triomphe, Southern France - by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-2

If you have time (and energy), you can climb the 100 steps to the top of the monument and enjoy what many say are the best views of Montpellier.

Waltz Your Way Down  La Promenade Royale du Peyrou

La Promenade Royale du Peyrou, Montpellier Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-5003.jpg Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-5003

It was here, as Rosana walked our little dog, Café, along the the leafy esplanade, that we started talking about how we would like to live in Montpellier one day.

La Promenade Royale du Peyrou, Château d’Eau, Montpellier Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-5003.jpg Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-5003

At the end of the promenade is the  Château d’Eau , an old water tower that provides sweeping views over a gorgeous Roman aqueduct. Apparently, on a good day you can see the Mediterranean from here.

Marché des Arceaux (street market) is held under the arches of the aqueduct and is said to be one of the finest in France, Montpellier Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-5052

Marvel at the Mighty Cathédrale Saint-Pierre (and Historic  Medical Faculty)

Montpellier’s Cathédrale Saint-Pierre

Montpellier's Cathédrale Saint-Pierre, Montpellier, Southern France - by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-1-2

The two towers that adorn the main entrance pierce the sky and are visible from almost anywhere in Montpellier.

Entry is free and guided tours are also available.

Montpellier’s Medicine University

Montpellier's Medicine University, Montpellier Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-5167

Breathe Deeply in the Oldest Botanical Gardens in France

Montpellier's Jardin des Plantes (botanical gardens), Montpellier Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-5248

Entry is free.

Montpellier's Jardin des Plantes (botanical gardens), Montpellier Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-5248

Explore Montpellier’s Famous Hôtels Particuliers (Private Mansions)

Once described by an architect in 1688 as being, “less beautiful than palaces, but more beautiful than simple lodgings,” France’s hôtels particuliers were grand properties built for wealthy families as second homes in the city.

They’re not to be confused as hotels, although luckily for us travellers many of them have been converted.

Explore Montpellier's Famous Hôtels Particuliers (Private Mansions), Montpellier, South of France Travel Blog Guide and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com (Copyright Ben Holbrook 2019 onwards)5

The properties typically boast large courtyards,  “because the streets were a disaster at this time,” allowing owners to ride their carriages directly into their homes without ever having to step foot in the filthy streets outside.

For this reason, the courtyards and interior staircases are often far more ostentatious than the facades themselves.

Best  Hôtels Particuliers in Montpellier

There are some 80 beautifully preserved  h ôtels particuliers to explore in Montpellier, but not that many of them are only accessible by joining one of the local tourist office tours. The following are among the most notable:

Hôtel de Varennes – An imposing medieval property that now houses the  Musée du Vieux Montpellie r .

Hôtel des Trésoriers de France – Famous for being the residence of King Louis XIII in 1632.

Hotel des Trésoriers de la Bourse / Maison de Heidelberg – Now houses the German Cultural Centre.

Hôtel St-Côme – An impressive structure that features an amphitheater designed for holding anatomy demonstrations.

Keep Your Eyes Peeled for Montpellier’s Street Art

Street Art, Montpellier Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-5580

Local highlights include a large number of pixellated space monsters created by French street artist  Space Invader.  If you trace the locations of all the aliens in Montpellier on a map, you may notice that it forms the outline of a space monster.

Indulge in a Lazy Lunch

Lunch in Montpellier, South of France Travel Blog Guide and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com (Copyright Ben Holbrook 2019 onwards)8

Keep an eye out for the big A-frame blackboards and posters that restaurants place out front as these will display their daily ‘prix fixe’ (fixed price) or ‘formule’ lunch offering. These typically include a starter and a main dish, as well as bread and a drink. Sometimes you can choose a dessert instead of a starter.

Have a Snoop Around the Les Halles Castellane Market

Les Halles Castellane Market, Montpellier, South of France Travel Blog Guide and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com (Copyright Ben Holbrook 2019 onwards)14

Speaking of wine…

Quaff  Your Way Through France’s Largest Wine Region

Montpellier is the administrative capital of France’s famous Languedoc-Roussillon wine region, which produces around a third of the country’s wine (that’s a lot of wine).

Drinking wine in Montpellier, Southern France - by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-4

Also be sure to try the dry and citrusy Picpoul de Pinet AOC wines, which are perfect for pairing with fish and seafood.

Tip: If wine and food’s your thing and you have time then definitely try to do this wine and oyster tasting tour of the Thau lagoon and vineyards of Picpoul de Pinet and Grès de Montpellier.

I also like the sound of this wine tasting tour which visits two Languedoc château wine estates.

Shop  à la Mode

Shopping in Montpellier, South of France Travel Blog Guide and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com (Copyright Ben Holbrook 2019 onwards)9

To get started, simply head to the city’s ultra-trendy  Rue de la Loge and Boulevard du Jeu de Paume , as well as the many little lanes that splinter off it.

Work Up and Appetite with a Pre-Dinner Apéritif

Drinking an Aperitif in Montpellier, South of France Travel Blog Guide and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com (Copyright Ben Holbrook 2019 onwards)12

You can drink whatever you like, but to do it like the locals I’d suggest trying Campari, a ruby-hued drink that tastes like bitter orange peel and wild herb. If Campari is a little too punchy for your taste buds then try an Apérol instead, which is similar but sweeter, lighter and generally more refreshing.

tour blanche montpellier

Tip: Many bars have happy hours so keep an eye out for A-frames and posters shouting about boozy bargains.

Dinner Time

Dinner in Montpellier, South of France Travel Blog Guide and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com (Copyright Ben Holbrook 2019 onwards)4

Le Petit Jardin – Something of a local institution, this 50-year-old bistro and restaurant is one of those places where you’re guaranteed a good meal. 

Pastis – One of the best high-end restaurants in Montpellier. Treat yourself to one of the food and wine tasting menus to see what all the fuss is about.

Bistrot d’Alco –  A tiny little local spot with simple but good quality dishes and wines at reasonable prices. I had too much rosé here are starting singing happy birthday to the table next to us.

Head Out for Drinks

Drinking/Nightlife in Montpellier Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-5716

We literally followed the crowds to the busy Rue de l’université and ended up in a seriously cool bar called  La Chat Noir .  La Fabrik  is another trendy hotspot.

For your craft beer fix in Montpellier, head to bars like Hopulus Brewpub , The Black Sheep and Bear’s House .

Drinking/Nightlife in Montpellier Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-5716

Rockstore , Fitzpatrick’s Irish Pub   and  The Shakespeare are known for their international crowds and nightly live music shows.

Is Montpellier Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. Montpellier is one of those idyllic French cities that will charm the pants off any traveller in search of the joie de vivre.

It’s refined and elegant, but with enough of an artsy edge to keep things interesting and exciting.

In many ways it offers the best bits of Paris, but in a more manageable and affordable package.

A must for all Francophiles.

Make it Happen

Where to Stay in Montpellier

Baudon de Mauny boutique hotel, Montpellier Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-4926

Each of the ten bedrooms and living areas boast original features – time worn stone and marble, storied gold leaf and stucco – paired with carefully chosen pieces of contemporary furnishings.

If these walls could talk…

Baudon de Mauny boutique hotel, Montpellier Travel Guide Blog and Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com-4926

This really was one of the most special hotels we’ve ever stayed at.

If you’re going to do it, do it right I say…

tour blanche montpellier

Book Now / Check Availability / More Info

(1 Rue de la Carbonnerie, Montpellier, 0033 467 022177, baudondemauny.com)

Other budget accommodation options in Montpellier include: Hotel du Palais /  Hotel d’Aragon /  Hotel de La Comédie

How to Get to Montpellier

RENFE SNCF Train Routes and Destinations in France and Spain

By train: In my personal experience, Montpellier is the perfect city to visit by train – especially if you’d like to do a bit of a tour and explore other destinations in France and/or Spain. We hopped on the RENFE SNCF train in Barcelona with our little doggy and were in the centre of Montpellier in less than 3 hours.

By plane: Montpellier isn’t necessarily the best French city to fly to. The nearest airports are Nimes airport (40km away), Beziers airport (57km away) and Avignon airport (82km away). I’d probably be inclined to fly into somewhere like Paris, Lyon on Marseille and riding the train from there, stopping off for a night or two at different towns along the way.

By car: Home to dazzling cities like Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Cannes, Monaco and St. Tropez, not to mention the blissful Côte d’Azur, the south of France is paradise for road-trippers. See my post about my “ Roaring Road Trip Through Provence and the French Riviera ” for inspiration (although you may want to do it a slightly more comfortable way).

Best Time to Visit Montpellier

We went to Montpellier in November and enjoyed one full day of sunshine and another of showers. I’d recommend visiting any time in autumn (September to November) or spring (March to May) if you want better travel deals and to avoid the crowds and blistering temperatures that southern France is known for in the summer.

Thanks for reading!

I’m sure you’re going to fall in love with Montpellier like we did.

I’d love to hear about your experience so please do join me on  Instagram  /  Facebook  /  Twitter  /  Pinterest  /  YouTube  to let me know!

Montpellier Street Photography by Ben Holbrook from DriftwoodJournals.com

More Journals and Travel Guides from France

A Bouchon Révolution: Where & What to Eat in Lyon, France

8 Best Things To Do In Paris | A No Bullsh*t Guide

Top 6 Wine Bars In Paris ~ A Sommelier’s Guide

No Money, No Honey: Paris from the Inside

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Categories: France Montpellier

Sean

Thanks, that’s a great post.

Ben Holbrook

Merci, Sean! Hope your trip goes well!

Gustaf Wiking

Oh what a trip down memory lane! Beautiful! I used to live there :)

Merci Gustaf! You’re lucky to to have lived in such a beautiful city. I could only dream of living somewhere this gorgeous.

Thanks for your comment – happy to have brought you a little bit of joy.

Gustaf Wiking

Thank you for the trip down memory lane!

My pleasure.You lived here? And thank you for your comment!

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solosophie

Free & Self-Guided Montpellier Walking Tour

By: Author Sophie Nadeau

Posted on Last updated: 3rd March 2023

Categories France , walking tour

Last Updated on 3rd March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

Over three hundred days of sunshine a year, plenty of history, and located alongside France’s secret riviera: what’s not to love about Montpellier? Rapidly rising the rankings as the up and coming French holiday destination you should know about, you could easily explore Montpellier over the course of a day or two. Here’s a free and self-guided Montpellier walking tour!

If you’re looking for more Montpellier inspiration, be sure to check out our suggestions for one day in Montpellier .

Free & Self-Guided Montpellier Walking Tour, Occitanie, Southern France. How to spend one day in the French city of Montpellier!

I first visited the charming city of Montpellier, which also happens to be one of the largest cities in France, during a solo trip to the South of France earlier this year.

And while I didn’t fall in love with the city to the same extent as some of the smaller settlements in the area, this is the place to go if you love a faster way pace of life, and a metropolitan buzz to your vacations.

Planning a solo adventure in the south of france: tips, tricks, practical advice, and where to visit for a historical trip in Southern France, Europe!

Free & Self-Guided Montpellier Walking Tour

Montpellier cathedral, montpellier botanical gardens, saint clement aqueduct, promenade du peyrou, arc de triomphe, eglise saint roch, place de la comedie, antigone neighbourhood, and if you have a little more time, where to stay in montpellier, france travel information, enjoyed reading this free and self-guided montpellier walking tour pin it now, read it again later:.

Wear sturdy walking shoes; the historic part of the city is full of little winding lanes, many of which are cobbled. As such, be sure to leave your heels at home and opt for some flat comfortable shoes instead.

I personally wear tennis shoes as I find them easy to style with summer outfits, all the while maintaining comfort. In fact, if you’re planning to visit anywhere in the South of France , then easy to walk in shoes are your best bet!

Walking time: 44 minutes.  While the walking time of this tour is under an hour, I highly recommend setting aside at least two or three hours so as to allow yourself to stop at cafés and attractions along the way.

Distance covered: 3.6 km.  Although this walk is under 4 km, there are plenty of little side streets and little-known cobbled lanes to explore when it comes to exploring Montpellier. As such, plan to walk a little further as to make the most of what this French city has to offer.

 Free and self-guided Montpellier walking tour. Here's an itinerary for an easy guide to the best things to see and do in Montpellier, Southern France

Suggested places to visit in Montpellier

This Montpellier walking tour begins in the very heart of the historic old town, outside one of the best examples of medieval architecture Montpellier has to offer. There, you’ll find plenty of history, as well as a major focal point of the wars of religion.

Where Montpellier Cathedral now stands was once home to a college of Saint Benedict. Parts of the current building on the site date back to the 14th-century and the Roman Catholic building’s full name is Cathedral Saint-Pierre of Montpellier.

Free & Self-Guided Montpellier Walking Tour, Occitanie, Southern France. How to spend one day in the French city of Montpellier!

From the Cathedral, it’s a short five to ten-minute walk to the beautiful botanical gardens (the Jardin des Plantes de Montpellier) . Located along Boulevard Henri IV, this green space is open from Tuesday through to Sunday and is free of charge to enter.

First founded as a university garden in the 16th-century, the historic park is the oldest botanical garden of its kind in France. For those looking for a quiet spot to contemplate or simply find a calm place to eat, the Botanical Gardens are the perfect oasis of calm in the centre of the city.

Free & Self-Guided Montpellier Walking Tour, Occitanie, Southern France. How to spend one day in the French city of Montpellier!

Also known as the Arceaux Aqueduct, the 18th-century aqueduct can be found at the end of the Promenade du Peyrou. Constructed during the 18th-century, once upon a time this impressive structure used to transport water from the Spring of Clement over 14 km to feed the fountains on La Promenade du Peyrou.

When visiting this monument, be sure to bring your camera (especially if you have a zoom lens) . After all, the viewing platform for the Aqueduct presents one of the best views Montpellier has to offer.

Attractions of interest to spot in one of France’s most underrated cities include several churches and the maze of streets which make up Montpellier.

Free & Self-Guided Montpellier Walking Tour, Occitanie, Southern France. How to spend one day in the French city of Montpellier!

The Promenade is a grand plateau to rival that of any other major European city; all park benches, large trees, and trickling fountains, this is the place where all the locals go to hang out. Free to visit, it’s the perfect spot for a French picnic, or simply to catch up with friends.

The space of the park, whose construction first began during the 17th-century, is three hectares. The spot is popular with local runners and musical instrument players alike. For those interested in antiquing, it’s worth noting that every Sunday a flea and antique market is held on site.

Free & Self-Guided Montpellier Walking Tour, Occitanie, Southern France. How to spend one day in the French city of Montpellier!

From the Promenade du Peyrou, you simply need to walk just a few hundred metres to reach Montpellier’s very own Arc de Triomphe. And, yes, I know what you’re thinking: Montpellier has a triumphal arch too?

For those unfamiliar with the history, the very first Arc de Triomphe can actually be found not in Paris, but in Orange, Provence . Napoleon loved the idea so much, that he commissioned several in Paris during the 19th-century.

The Montpellier version was actually commissioned by the Sun King, i.e. Louis XIV and the founder of the Palace of Versailles as we know it today. The Triumphal Arch was built in 1691 and stands at 15 metres high. The purpose of the arch was simply to praise the Sun King and the many ‘accomplishments’ of his reign.

Free & Self-Guided Montpellier Walking Tour, Occitanie, Southern France. How to spend one day in the French city of Montpellier!

Situated in amongst a maze of small streets and independent cafés, the Eglise Saint Roch was built in the Neo-Gothic style during the 19th-century.

Also known as ‘Sanctuary of Saint Roch,’ the ecclesiastical building is popular among those walking the French branch of the pilgrim’s route on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

Free & Self-Guided Montpellier Walking Tour, Occitanie, Southern France. How to spend one day in the French city of Montpellier!

From the church, it’s a meandering walk through the smaller streets of Montpellier. While the walk in of itself may be short, take the time to look down little alleyways and visit smaller shops of interest. After all, it’s in the historic heart of Montpellier where much of the more interesting things the city has to offer can be found.

Once at Place de la Comedie, it’s worth noting that much of the hustle and bustle of Montpellier life is to be found here. While in the city’s central square, be sure not to miss one of the more beautiful carousels to be found in the South of France, as well as the central statue of the Three Graces.

Snap some photos and take your time to soak up the ambiance of the square. Known locally as ‘the Egg,’ Place de La Comedie is one of the largest pedestrian areas in Europe. On the square itself, there are several restaurants and cafés- though these are a little more touristic than those brasseries to be found deeper in the historic centre.

Free & Self-Guided Montpellier Walking Tour, Occitanie, Southern France. How to spend one day in the French city of Montpellier!

For futuristic architecture, as well as some of the best ice cream shops in town, you simply have to head to Antigone. This neighbourhood can be found to the east of the city centre and the district’s architect was the Spanish architect, Ricardo Bofill Levi.

And so, if you want to capture some modern architectural shots, do a spot of shopping, or see another side of Montpellier, this is the district to visit!

Free & Self-Guided Montpellier Walking Tour, Occitanie, Southern France. How to spend one day in the French city of Montpellier!

After discovering all the beautiful architecture of the historical city centre of Montpellier, it’s worth noting that there’s a whole range of day trips to be taken from the Southern French city. Some of the best excursions from Montpellier include a visit to one of the many nearby vineyards that the region boasts or to another nearby town such as that of Béziers .

Here’s a quick guide on where to find the best view in Beziers, a beautiful city in the Languedoc, Occitanie, France

During my trip to Southern France, I spent just a one night stay in Montpellier. This was both through a lack of time, and a want to explore several other destinations during my trip.

With this being said, the former capital of the Languedoc region has plenty by way of sights, particularly if you opt to visit the Château de Flaguergues on the fringes of town.

As such, you could easily find enough nearby activities and excursions to fill a two or three day trip to the city. During my time in the French city, I opted to stay in the  Best Western Plus Comédie Saint Roch . This hotel was clean, comfortable and located right by the train station- everything I wanted during my trip.

As I was staying just one night, it was also useful to be able to leave my bags at reception during the day so that I could leave my luggage for when I went exploring what Montpellier had to offer. To check all hotels and rates for Montpellier click here .

Free & Self-Guided Montpellier Walking Tour, Occitanie, Southern France. How to spend one day in the French city of Montpellier!

France uses the Euro (€)

The main language spoken in France is French . Though you can get by with English is more touristic places, it’s always a good idea to learn some of the local language. Bring along a simple phrasebook like this one to help make your travels easier.

The capital of France is Paris . For more information and inspiration, check out our best Paris travel tips.

France uses plug types, types C and E. As such, if you’re travelling from the UK, USA, Canada, and many other destinations, you’ll need to buy an adapter. I recommend buying  a universal travel adapter  that you can use for multiple destinations (rather than buying a new adaptor for each place you visit).

As one of the most popular destinations in the world, you should always consider booking your accommodation well ahead of time. Check out this website for price comparison details and detailed reviews.

Be careful with your belongings. I also highly advise to avoid wearing a backpack and to instead opt for a crossbody bag  like these ones .  I personally use a crossbody bag  by this brand  and love its shape, size, and versatility.

Ultimate Guide to the Best of Jardin des Tuileries (+ A History) in Paris, France

Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.

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EPIC South of France Road Trip: Self-Drive in Provence & the Cote D'Azur

Sunday 7th of October 2018

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Accueil

l’arbre de haut en bas

L’Arbre est un restaurant sur deux niveaux à Montpellier niché au pied et au sommet de l’Arbre Blanc. Au 17 ème étage, le bar de l’Arbre offre une vue imprenable à 360° sur la mer et les reliefs des Cévennes. Avec le restaurant de l’Arbre, Eric Cellier, Charles et François Fontes proposent un audacieux contraste entre la modernité de l’Arbre Blanc, la dernière folie architecturale de Montpellier et la volonté de renouer avec la tradition française de la gastronomie.

tour blanche montpellier

restaurant en bas

Côté cuisine, les chefs ont imaginé une carte inscrite dans le patrimoine culinaire français qui sublime les produits de notre région : l’Occitanie. Une cuisine bourgeoise modernisée, concentrée dans les goûts et qui revient parée de nouvelles vertus : conviviale, équilibrée, familiale et accessible.

Le bar en haut

le bar en haut

Perché au 17 ème étage de l’Arbre, le bar Roof Top offre un point de vue imprenable sur Montpellier et vous invite à découvrir une large sélection de vins, de cocktails et de tapas pour profiter de votre soirée sur le toit de l’Arbre.

tour blanche montpellier

Le restaurant est ouvert du mardi au samedi et nous vous accueillons de 12h00 à 13h30 et de 19h30 à 21h30. Découvrez la carte du restaurant et réservez

Le Bar en Haut est ouvert du mardi au samedi de 18h00 à 1h00. Sans réservation.

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Château La Tour Blanche

Château La Tour Blanche offers you an atypical interlude amongst its vineyards and around its Belvedere. Following the success of the Apéros Dorés and L’Instant Tour Blanche, this Premier Grand Cru Classé of 1855 continues to innovate with its Sunset Hours event. On the menu: four special evenings with a pop-up bar serving tapas, Sauternes cocktails and the nectar of golden sunsets. After a tour of the estate, you will be able to take part in workshops at the foot of the belvedere. Many themed activities are available such as mixology, Sauternes and cheese pairings, and even a workshop on bats, these essential allies of winegrowers which are particularly dear to Château La Tour Blanche.

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Nuit Blanche Montreal 2024: Plan your night around these must-sees

Go roller skating in a library strike a pose with an oscar nuit blanche brings 'creative fantasies' to life.

tour blanche montpellier

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Street photo from Nuit Blanche 2023. The night is illuminated by colourful electric lights. People crowd the scene. In the foreground, a person in a parka stands with their back to the camera. On their back is a large patch that reads: "Nuit Blanche a Montreal."

"Anything can happen at Nuit Blanche," says Valérie Morel, the project manager for Montreal's all-night art festival, and this year's edition is nearly ready to launch. Starting Saturday evening (March 2), there'll be more than 100 things to see and do for free: art installations, interactive workshops, performances, parties and more — activities that will be spread across eight neighbourhood hubs throughout the city, some running until six the next morning. 

"We want people to get out of the winter rut, so it's really a time to push yourself, to push your boundaries, to get out of the routine," says Morel, who set the curatorial theme for 2024: "What's your creative fantasy?" And when the party starts on Saturday night, she plans to hit as many Nuit Blanche sites as humanly possible. "I don't go to bed," she says with a laugh. 

Still, there are a few choice projects that she's especially excited to see, and if you're mapping your route in advance, you'll want to take notes, because Morel says these seven Nuit Blanche events are absolute must-sees. "Some of them are the definition of fantasy," she says. "Every year there's something I've never seen before, and that really makes me want to go."

Roller disco in a library!

Photo of white four-wheeled roller skates, mirrored ball, balloons and tinsel curtain.

Where: Goethe-Institut

When: 8 p.m. to midnight

On Nuit Blanche, the Goethe-Institut might be the only library on the planet where you won't get shushed. A roller disco will be happening in the stacks between 8 p.m. and midnight, so bring your own skates, or borrow a pair for free, and have fun zipping between the shelves while a DJ spins disco hits from Germany and beyond.

  • From TikTok to the parking lot, why 2021 was the year of the roller skating renaissance

A library's always a smart place to visit if you want to learn something new, and to that end, the Goethe-Institut will be offering free roller skating lessons between 8-9 p.m. ( Sign up online .) And if you want to keep the party going, Nuit Blanche is disco dreaming all over the city. There's also a silent " Disco Wonderland " happening at Ballet Hop! In Mile End; a live disco and soul review ( Fantasy Fever ) in the Quartier des Spectacles and a disco ice rink: the Nuit Blanche 2024 Skating Disco at Camillien-Houde Arena .

Be an Oscar-winning movie star

Where: NFB Space

When: 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

For Nuit Blanche, museums and cultural centres throughout the city will open their doors, and the NFB Space on Balmoral Street is one venue that Morel visits every year. Saturday, the NFB will be offering loads of family-friendly programming, including a marathon of short docs and animated films. But the main attraction is a chance to live out your Hollywood dreams. Produce an animated short where you're the star. And while you're walking the red carpet they've rolled out for Nuit Blanche, experience an Oscar moment by taking a selfie with an actual Academy Award. 

  • My Favourite Season From Mary Pickford to Ryan Gosling, here's every Canadian actor ever nominated at the Oscars

Run away with the circus

Where: PHI Centre

When: 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

The PHI Centre in Old Montreal is another venue that's a perennial fave of Morel's. "They're extremely creative in what they offer, and it's always out of the ordinary," she says, and for Nuit Blanche 2024, they're throwing a free 18+ party dubbed Foire Fantastique. Expect carnivalesque vibes as you wander through the space. The event's being teased as a "travelling fair with strange characters," and the night's programming includes a bill of experimental performers and DJs. Once inside, guests are welcome to explore the centre's season of immersive exhibitions, too. (Free admission. First come, first served.)

Run away to the circus (and this time, bring the kids)

Where: TOHU

When: 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

The TOHU venue is unique to Montreal: a complex that's dedicated to the circus arts. But for Nuit Blanche, they'll be offering all kinds of entertainment, with a special focus on kid-friendly activities. Outside, you can go sledding, join a dance workshop or take a night-time tour of Frédéric-Back Park (on snowshoes). Inside the centre, find music, performances and art. There's a detailed schedule on their website .

See a 'multi-sensory' concert

Where: Édifice Wilder

When: 8, 9:30 and 11 p.m.

Alt-Escape is a new project from Video Phase , a Montreal-based company known for creating live, multimedia productions that mix music and interactive visuals, and for Nuit Blanche, they'll be presenting three 20-minute performances of the show. The official synopsis is more than a little mysterious: it promises digital spectacle, musical instruments that are invented "from scratch" and an "experience meant to be heard with the eyes."

"The description says it all and nothing," says Morel. "But that's why it's so intriguing." Space is limited, so you'll need to reserve seats in advance, and if you're lucky enough to score a spot, remember to stick around after the curtain falls. According to the event website , the audience will get a chance to chat with the artists and tinker with the digital instruments they've invented for the show.

Chill out at a museum

Photo of an art installation in a white-walled gallery. The installation is a plywood cube that functions as a recording studio. Three people stand inside the box playing musical instruments. They are surrounded by instruments and recording/performance gear.

Where: PHI Foundation for Contemporary Art

Rirkit Tiravanija's Untitled 1996 is an art installation that doubles as a fully functioning rehearsal studio, and it's appearing at the PHI Foundation through March 10. On Nuit Blanche, five special musical performances will be taking place inside the piece. According to Morel, the lineup is hush-hush, although you can expect the sounds to be ambient in flavour. Visitors are encouraged to get cosy on the museum floor during the show. BYOB — the B is for blanket. 

Make your own work of art, and hang it in a gallery

Three black and white prints of fantasy creatures, side by side in a collage.

Where: Belgo - Arprim

Home to more than two dozen galleries, the Belgo Building in the Quartier Spectacles is like "a mini Nuit Blanche within Nuit Blanche," says Morel. "I mean, you could just go there," she laughs. But of all the things to see at Belgo Saturday night, Corps Exquis tops her to-do list. The event is a hands-on printmaking workshop led by artists Dominique Desbiens and Reid Jenkins at Arprim. Learn how to make a print with the stamps they'll have on site, and then hang your creation in the gallery. Over the course of the night, a collaborative artwork will take shape: a mural of fantasy creatures. 

Find the complete Nuit Blanche program at www.nuitblanchemtl.com .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Senior Writer

Since 2015, Leah Collins has been senior writer at CBC Arts, covering Canadian visual art and digital culture in addition to producing CBC Arts’ weekly newsletter (Hi, Art!), which was nominated for a Digital Publishing Award in 2021. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University's journalism school (formerly Ryerson), Leah covered music and celebrity for Postmedia before arriving at CBC.

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Chateau la Tour Blanche Sauternes: 2019-1975

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by Ian D’Agata

Chateau La Tour Blanche (the circumflex accent on the first “a” of the word château no longer appears on the winery’s newer labels, while it was present on the labels of the older vintages, such as for example in the 1970s) is one of the most important and best-known wines of Sauternes. It is, without doubt, one of the top five-six wines of Sauternes and one of the world’s truly great sweet wines. In fact, most people are not aware that Chateau La Tour Blanche was once viewed as the best Sauternes wine of all right after Château d’Yquem (the latter estate does use the accent on the first “a” of château ). Though it is not often addressed, the well-known 1855 Classification of Bordeaux’s wines, drawn up by the Syndicat des Courtiers des Vins en Bordeaux (under the watchful eye of the city’s chamber of commerce) on the express request of Emperor Napoleon III (who wished for Bordeaux’s best wines to be showcased at the Exposition Universally to be held in Paris), did not list the wines haphazardly or in alphabetical order. Rather, the order in which the wines were placed in the classement followed a scale of quality (and this for both the red and the sweet white wines: it is not by chance that Mouton-Rothschild was initially placed first among the second crus): in this respect, it is important to know that Chateau La Tour Blanche was listed in the first spot among the Premier Crus of Sauternes (the “ premier of the premiers ”, if you will), second only to d’Yquem (which is the only Bordeaux, white or red, to have been qualified as a Premier Grand Cru Supérieur) . It follows that Chateau La Tour Blanche has been held in extremely high esteem since a very long time. And given the quality of its wines, both past and present, we probably should too.

tour blanche montpellier

A little bit of history

Not surprisingly for a wine from Bordeaux, the history of La Tour Blanche goes back many, many centuries. But for simplicity’s sake, it is generally taken to start in the seventeenth century with the arrival on the scene of Jean de Saint-Marc, one of the many important individuals (he was treasurer to King Louis XVI) who contributed to the property’s fame throughout the centuries). It was he who was the one to give the estate its present-day name. No, the name of the Chateau does not derive from a white tower ( tour blanche , in French) that stands there. Rather, the name of the winery stems from Jean de Saint-Marc being the Sieur de La Tour Blanche (Lord of the Tour Blanche); he added his name to the property’s as was the custom of the times. He also invested heavily in upgrading the estate, turning what used to be a more modest chartreuse (or country house typical of France’s Southwest) into the beautiful château that we know of today. And among his building endeavours, he did have a white tower built, so as to make the estate’s name more pertinent (for a while, the tower was a pigionnier , a very common construction of the time). Another owner of La Tour Blanche, Frederic Focke, did much to promote the need to late harvest in the area, a winemaking technique that was already in use in Sauternes but apparently not as widespread as it was to become later in time, or as it is today. (Focke was of German descent and was well-aware of how important late harvesting was to the success of his original country’s Riesling wines.) The third important figure in the history of La Tour Blanche was Daniel Iffla, who went by the pseudonym of Osiris. An exceptionally wealthy man who loved the finest wines, he spent a good deal of his time in Arcachon but never failed to live at La Tour Blanche during harvest. As he had no heirs, he specified in his will that upon his death Chateau La Tour Blanche would be donated to the French state upon the government meeting the testamentary provision that a viticulture and oenology school would be built on the château ’s grounds. Iffla passed away in 1907; in 1909 the French government accepted the stipulation and the school was officially opened once construction was completed in 1911. (In this respect, note that all the bottles of Chateau La Tour Blanche Sauternes carry the words “Donation Osiris” at the bottom of the front label.) Today, the estate belongs to the French region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, who has been its owner since 2010. The school and winery run separately but are under the control of the same government entity. The school has had many noteworthy, even famous graduates over the years, including for example the world-famous winemaker Michel Rolland.

tour blanche montpellier

Chateau La Tour Blanche: grape varieties and the unique terroir of Bommes

Chateau La Tour Blanche boasts 44 hectares most of which are under vine, planted to roughly 83% Semillon, 12% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle (beware that you will read of varying percentages on various websites and written reports, such as 83% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Muscadelle). No matter: what is interesting and noteworthy about Chateau La Tour Blanche is that this is one Sauternes property that boasts large plantings of Muscadelle, nowadays a very rare variety in the Sauternais but that has very strongly marked many vintages of this Sauternes in particular (witness the very excellent and very underrated 2013 and 2016 Chateau La Tour Blanche wines). The estate also grows a few hectares of Merlot, and is one of the rare Sauternes estates that also makes and sells a Rosé and a red wine (see below).

Chateau La Tour Blanche is located in Bommes, one of the five communes that are part of the Sauternes Appellation along with the towns of Barsac, Preignac, Fargues and Sauternes itself. Of these communes, only the wines of Barsac have the right and option to be called Barsac instead of Sauternes (something that a select few Barsac estates choose to do, while others prefer to use the better-known and more easily recognized Sauternes monicker). But there is a well-grounded reason for this exception, one that actually applies to the other communes of the Sauternais as well. Whereas most everybody tends to think of the Sauternes area as one and the same, nothing could be further from the truth: Barsac, for example, is a lower-lying area with soils that are siltier and sandier than those of Sauternes, making for lighter, more refined wines that are very clearly distinguishable, even when tasting blind, from the richer wines of Sauternes. The same caveats apply to the other communes of the Sauternais, not just to Barsac: with a little experience, the wines of Preignac are recognizably different from those of the other communes, for example. It is so too with the wines of Bommes: more or less minimal soil differences between the communes aside (that are nonetheless present), it Bommes is an area characterized by a special topography and hence very different wind currents than the rest of the Sauternais. This has very meaningful consequences on the formation of frost and noble rot, as has been observed in many vintages, such as for example 2017. In that vintage, while most of Barsac’s grapes were wiped out by horrific frost episodes, Bommes enjoyed (for the most part) bumper crops. In a wine production area as unique as that of Sauternes, another important aspect is the altitude at which the vineyards lie: in this respect, La Tour Blanche lies at one of the higher spots of the Sauternes Appellation, at roughly 67 meters above sea level. It is also very close to the Ciron stream, the cool waters of which mixing with those of the Garonne help create copious amounts of noble rot in many vintages (other necessary conditions for the development of noble rot permitting). The soil at La Tour Blanche is mostly gravel over clay-limestone. In short, the property as a truly blessed terroir when it comes to potentially making outstanding Sauternes wines.

tour blanche montpellier

Physical parameters of terroir aside, at La Tour Blanche they are also lucky to have a very talented and forward-thinking technical staff. While La Tour Blanche’s wines have always been immediately recognizable for a generally richer, thicker, sweeter style in most vintages, this truism may in fact no longer apply, as at least to my mind, La Tour Blanche wines after 1990 have been less marked by a “full throttle” approach and are not as mouth-coatingly rich and thick as they once were. Part of this is due to the larger than usual presence of Muscadelle in the final blend of many vintages, a good idea that rather than making the wines more dilute helps make them more drinkable and refined. Since the 2011 vintage, I find there has been a noteworthy uptick in purity and approachability to La Tour Blanche’s wines that I welcome wholeheartedly.

The estate also makes a second Sauternes wine, the Le Charmilles de La Tour Blanche and even a third Sauternes wine, called the Brumes de La Tour Blanche. These two other Sauternes (especially the Brumes) are much lighter in style and very approachable for those who prefer off-dry, lighter styled wines. But the winery also makes two splendid classically dry white wines, the Les Jardins de La Tour Blanche (100% Sauvignon Blanc) and the Duo de La Tour Blanche (usually a 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc wine, but Muscadelle can find its way in here too, given that the objective with this wine was to highlight the potential of all three of the classic grapes of the Sauternais). Note that these two dry wines are Vins de Bordeaux or Bordeaux Blancs, and not Sauternes as is instead often mistakenly reported on websites and magazine articles everywhere (the Sauternes Appellation’s name, at least for now, can be used only for the zone’s famous sweet wines). Last but not least, the winery makes, as mentioned before, also a pink and a red wine from 100% Merlot, both of which are meant to be enjoyed early on in their lives (many of the wines once had different names, such as Jardins de Thinoy and Cru du Cinquet, in case you should come across older vintages). The wines are generally aged in either stainless steel or a mix of stainless steel and oak barrels, but such regimens are also applied differently based on the grape variety used: for example, while Sauvignon Blanc gets treated preferentially with stainless steel, the Semillon tends to be matured in oak.

tour blanche montpellier

The wines in this tasting

All the wines in this report were tasted in Shanghai in September 2023, save for the 2001, 1990, 1988 and 1975, sourced from my own personal cellar to make this tasting report more complete (wines bought in France upon release save for the 1975 bought in 1988 in Italy thanks to a wine merchant with a reputably good cold cellar). My thanks to the estate and Bert Van Dessel, the estate’s brand ambassador in Asia for making all the other vintages reported on in the tasting, with bottles sourced directly from the estate, available.

tour blanche montpellier

Chateau La Tour Blanche 2019 Les Jardins de La Tour Blanche Sec Bordeaux                        90

Bright pale straw yellow. Archetypal Sauvignon Blanc aromas and flavours of green fig, gooseberry and kiwi, with bright lemony lift. Easygoing and fresh on the long close, but not at all unbearably green as far too many boring and to my palate fairly undrinkable world Sauvignon wines tend to be nowadays (mostly because the grapes are picked unripe in the name of freshness). This 100% Sauvignon Blanc wine is instead a beauty, with good juicy ripe fruit and very lively. Won’t make old bones, so drink up soon and enjoy. Drinking window: 2023-2025.

Chateau La Tour Blanche 2018 Sauvignon Duo de La Tour Blanche Sec Vin de Bordeaux                          91

Luminous golden-tinged straw colour. Deep aromas of ripe citrus fruit, peach and a hint of beeswax speak of Semillon, with plenty of fresh lemony lift provided by the Sauvignon. Light on its feet but texturally interesting, the aftertaste is long, clean and flavourful. This is a real step up in concentration from Les Jardins, and will be able to stand up even to light white meat dishes. The Semillon here adds a complexity and size to the finished wine that would be completely missing if this was made with Sauvignon Blanc only. A blend of 65% Semillon, 35% Sauvignon Blanc. Drinking window: 2023-2027.

Chateau La Tour Blanche 2019 Sauternes                    96

Now this is a gem. The 2019 Chateau La Tour Blanche is one of the best Sauternes of the vintage, offering a magical sugar/acid balance and deep aromas and flavours of tropical and ripe citrus fruit, saffron, honey and beeswax, complicated by notes of lemony botrytis. The clean, precise, rising finish is at once smooth yet penetrating and lasts for minutes. This beauty boasts sneaky concentration and complexity but is remarkably light on its feet and seems much less sweet than it really is. A great vintage for this estate, in a year that was marred by the presence of grey rot and fruit flies (and a hot dry summer with rain in late September and October), this is a gorgeous Sauternes that will match heavenly with raw shrimp, light pumpkin soups and pumpkin ravioli and chicken or veal filets with mushroom sauces. A blend of 80% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle. Drinking window: 2023-2050.

Chateau La Tour Blanche 2018 Sauternes            89

tour blanche montpellier

Medium straw-green with some gold. Discreet, even subdued aromas and flavours of orchard fruit, herbs and flint, but not much depth or complexity. The aftertaste hints at saffron and peach. By no means a bad wine, but this is probably the only disappointing wine in this tasting. I’m afraid there wasn’t getting around much the difficulties posed by the 2018 vintage (characterized by a much too hot summer, meaning there wasn’t much noble rot, plus episodes of hail and plenty of downy mildew). A blend of 83% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Muscadelle that will age well but that won’t ever deliver a great Sauternes drinking experience. Drinking window: 2023-2033.

Chateau La Tour Blanche 2017 Sauternes            94

A real work of art, the 2017 Chateau La Tour Blanche showcases an archetypically rich Sauternes in a glorious vintage. Medium deep golden yellow. Intense spicy botrytis complements opulent, showy peach, tangerine, mango, orange blossom, honey, crystallized ginger and saffron on the complex, multilayered nose. Then also multilayered and opulent in the mouth, with a suave rich texture and just enough acidity to carry and extend the flavours on the long rich finish without the wine ever becoming tiring or cloying. So good you can drink this already now, but it will prove even more complex if you let it rest another five to six years in your cellar. The 2017 vintage was characterized by late April frosts, uneven flowering, and noble rot developing late in the year  (something that tells you a little about the wines, provided you have an idea of wien the estate picked its grapes). A blend of 85% Semillon, 13% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Muscadelle. Drinking window: 2023-2042.

Chateau La Tour Blanche 2016 Sauternes            95

One of the most underrated Sauternes vintages ever, the exact merits of the 2016 La Tour Blanche have gone unrecognized, and unfairly so; but mark my words, this is an exceptionally elegant, sneakily concentrated Sauternes that will appeal to those who prefer these wines in a less rich and mouthcoating style. Pale lemon-gold colour. Extremely refined, mineral-driven aromas of mango, guava and passion fruit complemented by hints of acacia flower honey, nutmeg, jasmine and ginger. Utterly seamless in the mouth, and boasting impeccable balance, this is long and pure, rich and pleasantly oily, featuring nicely lingering flavours of orchard and tropical fruit with hints of beeswax and nutmeg. A blend of 80% Semillon, 10% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Muscadelle that showcases just how well that high a percentage of Muscadelle, which is generally unheard of, can contribute to the making of magnificent Sauternes. Noble rot developed late in 2016, so those estates that picked too early made wines from mostly raisined grapes losing out on the added complexity that noble rot brings. Trust me, this beauty is in no way a lighter-styled Sauternes. Drinking window: 2023-2040.

Chateau La Tour Blanche 2013 Sauternes            94

Bright golden-tinged yellow. Aromas and flavours of minerals, herbs, lime, jasmine and lemon verbena are lifted by hints of spicy botrytis. Long and layered in the mouth but less opulent than the 2016 and other La Tour Blanche wines, but very well balanced and pure. This is another La Tour Blanche marked by an inordinately high percentage of Muscadelle (the 2013 is a blend of 80% Semillon, 10% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Muscadelle), and far from being dilute or simple, it’s an exceptionally fine, highly satisfying wine. The lively, harmonious acidity leaves you with an impression of welcome steeliness. This and the 2016 are two of the most underrated La Tour Blanche wines ever. Readers should avoid making the mistake of thinking that 2013 was poor year for Bordeaux: it was, but for the region’s red wines, not so for the Sauternes that have mostly turned out very well indeed. Drinking window: 2023-2038.

Chateau La Tour Blanche 2011 Sauternes            92

A throwback to the older style of La Tour Blanche, this is a much richer, sweeter and broader wine than any to have followed since then. Deep vivid golden straw yellow colour. Deep, thick, composite aromas of crystallized mango, saffron reduction, peach jelly, orange nectar and caramel. Then rich, ripe and lusciously mouthcoating, with very nice delineation to the ripe rich flavours of tropical fruit, sweet spices and musk. Not the most nuanced La Tour Blanche ever made, but rather light on its feet for such a big wine, the aftertaste is only medium-long but will leave you not wanting to let go of your glass until its emptied. It’s a gorgeous wine and one that sweet wine lovers, and lovers of Sauternes in general, can’t help but fall in love with, but those who prefer nuanced wines will like the other vintages of La Tour Blanche described in this tasting report more. A blend of 80% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle. Drinking window: 2023-2035.

Chateau La Tour Blanche 2009 Sauternes            97

tour blanche montpellier

An amazing wine ever since it was first presented at the Primeurs, the 2009 Chateau La Tour Blanche is a La Tour Blanche I know extremely well having tasted it not just back then but countless other times over the years. It has never been short of exceptional, and it still is so today. A very big, sweet and luscious wine (as it ought to be, given the characteristics of the 2009 vintage’s wines and of La Tour Blanche back then) it separates itself from all other similarly big Sauternes because of an amazing amount of lift and precision.

Deep vibrant yellow gold colour. Captivating aromas and flavours of almond paste, custard cream, tropical fruit nectar, glazed pineapple, crystallized apricot and ginger are extremely well delineated, pure and long. Copious amounts of marmelady botrytis add a whole other level of complexity here that is simply not found in any other wine made at La Tour Blanche since the late 1980s. Closes very long with a whiplash of welcome harmonious acidity that helps make this even more enticing than it already is. A blend of 80% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle. Drinking window: 2023-2035.

Chateau La Tour Blanche 2008 Sauternes            94

Pale golden-tinged yellow. Nectarine, white peach tea, sweet spices and oak-related scents of vanilla and nuts on the very refined deep nose. Rather silky in texture, with a glyceral softness and a hint of banana complementing the nicely cut and clear flavours of lemon verbena, ginger and pear. Boasts noteworthy sugar/acid balance with an attractive plumpness rising slowly on the long, elegant back end. This reminded me of what an ideal crossing of the La Tour Blanche 2009 and 2016 would taste like. Make no mistake about it, this is heavily underrated Sauternes that is drinking beautifully now and that will pair very well with even complex white meat dishes like roast fowl with mushrooms, or try it with Thanksgiving turkey and yams. A blend of 80% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle. Springtime frost, plus bouts of downy mildew greatly reduced the 2008 crop, but what grapes were left made excellent Sauternes, as the 2008 La Tur Blanche clearly shows. Drinking window: 2023-2040.

Chateau La Tour Blanche 2001 Sauternes            95

Deep yellow-gold. Knockout nose offers orchard fruits, glazed pineapple, papaya, marzipan and nutmeg. Very rich, ripe and oily, with a glyceral texture and sweetness that leave an impression of girth behind. But the wine is evolving beautifully, now showing greater grace and refinement than when it was first released, with delicious nuances of white chocolate and toffee building on the caramelized-apricot core of flavours, nicely framed and lifted by smoky botrytis that further accentuates the fruit. Wonderfully concentrated wine with a very long, sweet, palate-staining finish. Drinking window: 2023-2035.

Chateau La Tour Blanche 1990 Sauternes            94

Full yellow-gold. Orange peel, peach nectar and spicy oak on the nose, with obvious undertones of marzipan and toffee. Sweet, suave and very glyceral, with seamless, complex flavours of ginger tea, grilled yellow peach, lime, coconut and crystallized mango. Still wonderfully fat and sweet after all these years (the 1990 was always a richer-styled La Tour Blanche) but with a lively core of minerally fruit that actually helps this come across as less full-bodied and rich than the 1988 (usually, with most Sauternes, it’s the other way around). Fully evolved and currently offering a rich drinking experience, I wouldn’t hold on to this much longer. Drinking window: 2023-2030.

Chateau La Tour Blanche 1988 Sauternes     94 

Medium yellow-gold. Deeply pitched aromas of honey, orange and dried apricot are complicated by lemony botrytis and by suggestions of spicy oak. Rich, sweet and wonderfully pure, with a nectar-like quality to its extremely flavourful decadently ripe peach, orange marmalade, nutmeg and cinnamon nuances. This boasts an exhilarating chewy texture and superb aromatic persistence and finishes long with plenty of repeating botrytis character. Drinking window: 2023-2033.

Chateau La Tour Blanche 1975 Sauternes            93

Vibrant burnished golden-yellow colour. Spicy, linear aromas of pineapple, nutmeg and ginger, with a complicating smoky botrytis and a caramelly nuance. Then not overly concentrated but nicely detailed pineapple, apricot and candied citrus flavours have a penetrating quality and surprising juiciness for a wine this old.  Almost painfully spicy, leaving a somewhat aggressive character on the long, complex, smoky finish. But even after almost fifty years, this is still light on its feet and youthful. Drinking window: 2023-2028.

tour blanche montpellier

Ian D'Agata

Editor-in-Chief of Terroir Sense Wine Review President of Terroir Sense Academy Vice President of Association Internationale des Terroirs Chief Scientific Officer of TasteSpirit

Ian D’Agata has been writing and educating about wines for over thirty years. Internationally recognized as an distinguished expert, critic and writer on many wine regions, his two most recent, award winning books Native Wine Grapes of Italy and Italy's Native Wine Grape Terroirs (both published by University of California Press) are widely viewed as the "state of the art" textbooks on the subject. The former book won the Louis Roederer International Wine Awards Book of the Year in 2015 and was ranked as the top wine books of the year for the Los Angeles Times, the Financial Times and the New York Times, while the latter was named among the best wine books of the year by Food & Wine Magazine and the NY Times.

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HOTEL LA MAISON BLANCHE - Reviews (Montpellier, France)

IMAGES

  1. Tour Blanche : cinq choses à savoir

    tour blanche montpellier

  2. Tour Arbre Blanc à Montpellier White Tree Tower Montpellier en 2020

    tour blanche montpellier

  3. BAUWELT

    tour blanche montpellier

  4. Photo à La Tour-Blanche (24320) : Le Château

    tour blanche montpellier

  5. Montpellier : avec l'Arbre Blanc, ses architectes présentent une tour

    tour blanche montpellier

  6. Architects reinvent the residential tower block in Montpellier with L

    tour blanche montpellier

COMMENTS

  1. The Arbre Blanc (White tree)

    A bit of History. The White Tree, designed by architects Sou Fujimoto, Nicolas Laisné and Manal Rachdi, has been enriching Montpellier's architectural heritage since 2019, with its 17 floors and 56 meters high.. We can say that it is the most amazing building in the city, a technological feat, an urban madness combining audacity and elegance!. A bar and an art gallery in the heart of the Tree

  2. L'arbre blanc de Montpellier, la folie architecturale de Sou Fujimoto

    Ce projet de tour excentrique est une première à Montpellier. L'"arbre blanc" sera construit entre 2015 et fin 2017, sur les bords du Lez à proximité de la bibliothèque universitaire. Haut de ...

  3. Le Projet

    L'histoire Quand la terre s'élève entre mer et ciel L'Arbre Blanc est avant tout le fruit d'une rencontre : une rencontre d'exception, au cœur de la métropole régionale, entre le Japon et la Méditerranée. Symbole vivant du Montpellier contemporain, cette hybridation des cultures est aussi un croisement entre deux générations d'architectes : une génération au […]

  4. Vins château La Tour Blanche

    Offrez-vous l'excellence avec les vins du Château La Tour Blanche, premier Grand Cru Classé 1855 de Sauternes sur cette boutique. La Tour Blanche, 33210 Bommes, France Tel. +33 (0)5 57 98 02 73

  5. Montpellier to La Tour-Blanche

    Rome2Rio makes travelling from Montpellier to La Tour-Blanche easy. Rome2Rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Find all the transport options for your trip from Montpellier to La Tour-Blanche right here. Rome2Rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey ...

  6. Best Things to Do in Montpellier, France in 1 or 2 Days ~ A Flâneur's

    Montpellier's Cathédrale Saint-Pierre. Dating back to 1364, Montpellier's iconic cathedral is a colossal Gothic structure that looks more like a castle (and a fairytale one at that) than a cathedral. The two towers that adorn the main entrance pierce the sky and are visible from almost anywhere in Montpellier.

  7. THE 10 BEST Montpellier Tours & Excursions

    4. Small-Group Half-Day Languedoc Wine and Olive Tour from Montpellier. 11. Food & Drink. 3-4 hours. With this half day tour, discover the picturesque countryside of Languedoc in the middle of vineyards and olive trees, two…. Free cancellation. Recommended by 100% of travelers. from.

  8. Montpellier : l'arbre blanc et folie divine, deux tours ...

    A Montpellier, les deux tours "l'arbre blanc" et "folie divine"font évoluer l'architecture moderne de la ville.Visite de la plus haute tour de Montpellier.R...

  9. Montpellier Airport (MPL) to La Tour-Blanche

    The cheapest way to get from Montpellier Airport (MPL) to La Tour-Blanche costs only €109, and the quickest way takes just 5½ hours. Find the travel option that best suits you. Rome2Rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads.

  10. Free & Self-Guided Montpellier Walking Tour

    The Montpellier version was actually commissioned by the Sun King, i.e. Louis XIV and the founder of the Palace of Versailles as we know it today. The Triumphal Arch was built in 1691 and stands at 15 metres high. The purpose of the arch was simply to praise the Sun King and the many 'accomplishments' of his reign.

  11. THE TOP 10 Montpellier Tours & Excursions (UPDATED 2024)

    A: The best tours in Montpellier according to Viator travelers are: Winetour and homemade food experience in Pic St Loup. Arles & Saint Rémy de Provence Tour. Private full day wine tour and Medieval Village from Montpellier. Highlights of Sète : history, food and wine experience.

  12. Accueil

    l'arbre de haut en bas. L'Arbre est un restaurant sur deux niveaux à Montpellier niché au pied et au sommet de l'Arbre Blanc. Au 17 ème étage, le bar de l'Arbre offre une vue imprenable à 360° sur la mer et les reliefs des Cévennes. Avec le restaurant de l'Arbre, Eric Cellier, Charles et François Fontes proposent un audacieux contraste entre la modernité de l'Arbre Blanc ...

  13. Château La Tour Blanche

    Château La Tour Blanche offers you an atypical interlude amongst its vineyards and around its Belvedere. Following the success of the Apéros Dorés and L'Instant Tour Blanche, this Premier Grand Cru Classé of 1855 continues to innovate with its Sunset Hours event. On the menu: four special evenings with a pop-up bar serving tapas ...

  14. The BEST Montpellier Tours and Things to Do in 2024

    The best outdoor activities to do in Montpellier are: Pont du Gard Skip the Line Admission Ticket. From Montpellier: Pic Saint-Loup Wine and Food Tour. Montpellier: St. Guilhem le Désert and Moureze Day-Trip. From Montpellier: Half-Day Vineyard & Pic Saint-Loup Tour.

  15. Nuit Blanche Montreal 2024: Plan your night around these must-sees

    On Saturday, March 2, Nuit Blanche will light up Montreal. The annual event, which returns for its 21st edition this weekend, is presented as part of the winter festival, Montréal en Lumière ...

  16. Château La Tour Blanche

    The style of Château La Tour Blanche's wines is characterized by a superb balance between richness and freshness, and a great aromatic complexity. In accordance with Chateau La Tour Blanche's policy of quality, some vintages (although certified passable) are not bottled. This was the case for the 1992, 1993 and 2000 vintages.

  17. Google Maps

    Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

  18. Vacation rentals in La Tour-Blanche-Cercles

    Feb 24, 2024 - Rent from people in La Tour-Blanche-Cercles, France from $20/night. Find unique places to stay with local hosts in 191 countries. Belong anywhere with Airbnb.

  19. Château La Tour Blanche

    Château La Tour Blanche. Château La Tour Blanche is unique among the classed growths in Sauternes. It is owned by the state and is home to the La Tour Blanche School of Viticulture and Oenology. The First Growth's benevolent status was down to the generosity of its owner, Daniel Iffla, who went by the name Osiris, and was a powerful financier and philanthropist whose only stipulation with La ...

  20. Chateau la Tour Blanche Sauternes: 2019-1975

    Chateau La Tour Blanche 2019 Sauternes 96. Now this is a gem. The 2019 Chateau La Tour Blanche is one of the best Sauternes of the vintage, offering a magical sugar/acid balance and deep aromas and flavours of tropical and ripe citrus fruit, saffron, honey and beeswax, complicated by notes of lemony botrytis.

  21. Free Tours in Montpellier, France

    Montpellier Free Tour. Provided by MontpellierFreeTour. Rating: 9.0. (Reviews: 459) from €0 Tip based. This is an outstanding free walking tour of Montpellier which lasts 2-3 hours. Meet your guide and immerse in the atmosphere of this cozy French city.

  22. Château la Tour Blanche

    Château la Tour Blanche - Premier Grand Cru Classé en 1855 - SauternesChâteau la Tour Blanche. Premier Grand Cru Classé en 1855 - Sauternes.

  23. La Tour Blanche

    La Tour Blanche - Restaurant, Tournai, Belgium. 2,296 likes · 37 talking about this · 126 were here. Restaurant bistronomique à Tournai.

  24. HOTEL LA MAISON BLANCHE

    Hotel La Maison Blanche. 78 reviews. #62 of 91 hotels in Montpellier. 1796 avenue de la Pompignane, 34000, Montpellier France. Write a review. View all photos (28)