The courts of 18th century private mansions (Montpellier)

The Medical University of Montpellier

The Medical University of Montpellier is the oldest of all the medical schools still functioning today. For centuries, generations of physicians have been inspired by its high achieving scientific tradition and have continued to honor this reputation. Today, it ranks with Paris as one of the two most attractive medical schools in France for students from all geographic horizons. The majestic entrance hall (atrium) is a starting point for all visitors, with a 3-flight 17th century stairway with its sophisticated wrought iron banister leading up to the School Library. Other special rooms to visit: board room, dissertation room, Dugès Hall, Anatomy Auditorium, Main courtyard, etc. Duration 90 min Price €20

 

Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert: A Jewel of Romanesque Art

For twelve hundred years the ancient, narrow streets of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert have run alongside the Verdus stream. The village is an historic, spiritual and cultural focus to be reckoned with… It developed around the Abbey of Gellone, founded in 804 by Guilhem, the legendary cousin of Charlemagne, made famous by troubadours throughout the middle ages. The Abbey Church (9th to 11th centuries), is a masterpiece of early Languedocian Romanesque art and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. And also Guided tours of the village, Abbey and cloister can also include a visit to the Abbey Museum and the Village of Yesteryear Museum. Duration 90 min Price €30

Arles

The amphitheatre is the most important Roman monument of the ancient Roman colony that can be admired today, some two millenia after its construction. Its structure was conceived of to house for large events, accommodating a large public. In their initial construction, the steps could could accommodate approximately 21 ' 000 spectators, whose access was organized by a network of gates, galleries and staircases on several floors. With a large axis which is 136 metres long and a small axis which is 107 metres long, the Arles amphitheatre is slightly larger than that of Nimes and occupies the twentieth rank in the Roman world. It has the shape of an ellipsis.

The Saint-Trophime cloister is in the center of the canonical buildings of the episcopal city. From the 12th century, space to the south of the Saint-Trophime cathedral is occupied by two large complexes: on the one hand, the palace of the bishop, on the other hand, the claustrum, a space reserved for the community the canons, “those who live according to the laws of the Church”. The structure of the cloister and its rooms. The decoration in the Romanesque galleries (northern and eastern), is of an exceptional richness. In the northern gallery the iconographic program closely associates two topics: a reflection on the Pascal mystery and an exaltation of the patron saints of the church of Arles, raised to the honour of Apostles. The last two galleries, (the southern and the western), in an ogvial vault, and the large Gothic gate in the southern wall of the cloister were carried out only around 1370-1380. The center of the cloister of the Saint-Trophime cathedral consists of a garden, once a cemetery. The vaults of these galleries are supported towards the interior by pillars and posts and towards the exterior by embedded pilasters in the walls enclosing the cloister. Duration 2h Price €30

Aigues-Mortes

Visit of the little Museum of History and Archaeology, of the Chapel of Grey Penitents, dating back to the 17th century and containing an altarpiece made of stucco by Sabatier. Visit of the Chapel of White Penitents, also from the 17th century, hiding a fresco from X. Sigalon and paintings from A. Gleize. Discovery of the Church “Notre Dame des Sablons” made in gothic style and of the “Place Saint Louis”. Duration 90 min Price €30