The Top 10 Things To Do And See In Ecusson, Montpellier

The streets of Écusson are lined with shops, from small independent boutiques to the ubiquitous big name, high-street stores that can be found in cities across the world. For a taste of chic French fashion, head to the Polygone shopping center, just behind the Place de la Comédie and home to the world-renowned Galleries Lafayette. If you’re after something a bit more unique, take to the streets where tiny bookshops, high-end designer boutiques and even hand-made puppet shops can be found around every corner of the small, winding lanes.

For such a small area, Écusson is brimming with high-quality bars, cafés and restaurants where you can sit with friends over a glass of wine or enjoy a meal on one of the many outdoor terraces to make the most of the Montpellier sunshine. The area offers from gourmet French cuisine to Argentinian empanadas, with burgers, burritos and brasseries in between. Only a few kilometers away from the Mediterranean Sea, the city’s fresh seafood restaurants (Andromaque is a firm favorite) are definitely worth a try.

Porte du Pêyrou, marking the westernmost point of Écusson, is Montpellier’s very own arc de triomphe (no, not that one). A smaller version of the gargantuan Parisian landmark, from which the provincial architect Augustin-Charles d’Aviler took his inspiration, the Porte du Pêyrou was built in 1691 in celebration of the ‘sun king’ Louis XIV. Standing at 15 meters high and 18 meters wide, this triumphal arch was erected on one of the highest points of the city, making it a visible landmark all over Écusson. On certain days of the year you can climb up to the top of the arch where the views of the nearby jardin du Peyrou are nothing short of spectacular.

For a gimmicky but enjoyable way to see the best of what Écusson has to offer, look no further than the Petit Train de Montpellier, this Southern French city’s take on the more traditional sightseeing bus. The train departs multiple times a day from the Place de la Comédie and slowly winds its way around the narrow streets of the old town of Écusson. The trip takes in all the main sights, squares and attractions in the city center with an accompanying commentary in ten different languages. If visiting the many sights of Montpellier has tired you out opt for the Petit Train, sit back and relax while still taking in the cultural highlights of Écusson.

It may seem as though you’re helplessly lost in the labyrinth that is Montpellier’s old town, but that’s all part of its old-world charm – pounding the pavements really is the best way to explore this quaint area. Since Écusson is a very compact network of winding streets, you’ll feel more lost than you actually are – walk in any direction for a few minutes and you’ll either come out the other side or inadvertently stumble upon a recognized landmark. Even better, you may find a hidden gem far from sight of those less adventurous visitors who stayed on the Place de la Comédie.