Day 30 Train to Montpellier

Today went extremely smoothly, except for a little “side trip” biking home.

Biking to the train station in Agde went amazing well. We’ve finally found 2 routes - and this newest one got us there in about 45 minutes. The train originated in Narbonne, so was packed when it arrived. I found a seat - Peter finally found one after the stop in Séte.

Montpellier is a big vibrant city - totally different from Agde. So many historic buildings, lovely parks, sculptures, and of course the essential carousel in the heart of the city. I read that the population is 468,000 and 80,000 are students. That was evident as we wandered around.

Some highlights were the oldest medical university in the world, their Arc de Triomphe, headless statues in Esplanade de Corum, and the multicoloured trams.

Coming back, the train was totally packed once again. I found a seat, but Peter stood the whole way. Trains in France are something else - super efficient, reliable, but they just keep selling tickets so it becomes a free for all getting on & off. You’ll find dogs, cats, bikes, scooters, all kinds of luggage. They rarely check for tickets - impossible to make it through the crowds.

Arriving back, rather than take the 2 bikes trails we know, the “royal we” decided to try a new route . . . . we didn’t get lost - just couldn’t access the bridge we needed to cross so had to backtrack. Finally, at 7:00 pm we arrived home.

So glad we decided to go - definitely worth a visit.Read more