Difference between revisions of "Montpellier"

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'''Montpellier''' is a city in the South of [[France]].  
 
'''Montpellier''' is a city in the South of [[France]].  
  
Apart from an attractive city in itself, it is situated next to a main highway A9/E15 connecting cities such as [[Perpignan]] and [[Barcelona]] to the South, [[Aix-en-Provence]] and [[Marseille]] to the East, [[Lyon]] and [[Paris]] to the North, and [[Toulouse]] and [[Bourdeaux]] to the West.
+
Apart from an attractive city in itself, it is situated next to a main motorway [[A9 (France)|A9]]/[[A15 (France)|E15]] connecting cities such as [[Perpignan]] and [[Barcelona]] to the South, [[Aix-en-Provence]] and [[Marseille]] to the East, [[Lyon]] and [[Paris]] to the North, and [[Toulouse]] and [[Bordeaux]] to the West.
  
==Going South or West: [[Perpignan]], [[Toulouse]], [[Bourdeaux]] and [[Barcelona]]==
+
== Hitchhiking out ==
In Montpellier there isn't a [[Péage]] so best thing is to make your way as close to the highway A9/E15 as possible.
 
 
'''Option 1''': First option is to get to Place de L'Europe ([http://www.liftershalte.info/?lat=43.605691341740744&lng=3.9101028442382812&zoom=15&trip=0 location]), for example by taking tramline 1. From there you can already see signs to the highway. You can either follow those signs and the main road (Avenue de Président Pierre Mendes France) for about 15 to 20 minutes, or get a ride from where this road starts to either your destination or to a better location further up the road, at the roundabout where the main highway A9/E15 actually connects to the Avenue de Président Pierre Mendes France.
 
  
''note'': there is not a very good spot for cars to stop, but they stop at the roundabout for traffic with enough time to ask drivers for a ride, and for them to open the door.
+
=== All Directions ===
 +
The tramway line in Montpellier, line 2 (the flower tram), goes directly to a ''péage'' (toll plaza). Take tram line 2 from the train station, in the direction of "St. Jean de Vedas", then get out at the next-to-last stop, "St. Jean le Sec". At the stop look around and you will see a ''péage'' behind a roundabout.
  
* [http://www.liftershalte.info/?lat=43.60702755812576&lng=3.9308738708496094&zoom=15&trip=0 Location on the map of the roundabout]
+
'''''EDIT 2017''': The "péage" doesn't exist anymore. Hitchhiking is still possible in the roundabout, between the tramway stop and the highway entrance, with a sign.''
  
'''Option 2''': A second option is the [http://maps.google.fr/?ie=UTF8&om=1&z=15&ll=43.58953,3.891821&spn=0.01548,0.040255 roundabout] off Avenue de Palavas. However there is no good spot for cars to stop at the roundabout, and nowhere on the ramp either. [[Zac]] waited for an entire day for a ride to [[Perpignan]] without luck and shamefully retreated to the train station.
+
==== The easy spot ====
 +
The roundabout is a good spot for both directions. Good traffic at normal hours. In case you're going '''south''', "[[Béziers]]" is a good city to put on your sign. The next petrol station is right out of Montpellier, and there is another one before Béziers.
  
'''Option 3''':
+
If you're going '''north''', you can write "Nimes" on your sign. There is a petrol station before (Ambrussum).
Since few months there is a new tramway line in Montpellier, line 2, it goes directly to a toll(peage). Take tram number 2 at the train station, direction "saint jean de vedas", then get out at the stop "saint jean le sec", on the stop look around and you will see a toll, you can hitchhike on this one if you want, but there is a low traffic, so the best is to go on the big toll where all the cars from North or South have to stop, this one is 500 meters more in the south. To get on, you need to walk after the little toll on direction of highway, it's illegal so you need to walk along the road but on the grass close to it...then you will see the big toll from where it's easy to get 300 or 400 km ride to every directions.
 
  
 +
==== The hard-core spot ====
 +
If the above spot is too low on traffic (or too easy) for your taste, you can continue walking past the small ''péage'' to the multi-lane one where all the cars from North or South have to stop. To reach it, you must walk for 10 minutes beyond the first ''péage''. It is illegal and quite dangerous to walk on the ''autoroute'', so you need to walk far to the side, staying on the grass if possible. You will see the big ''péage'' from where you can find a 300 or 400 km ride in any direction.
  
'''Additional information about Montpellier''':
+
'''Attention''': there is no parking spot after the ''péage'' so you'll have to do it at the very place the people pay. Which is sometimes tolerated by the personnel, and sometimes not.
  
You can find free luggage storage at the "Musee Fabre" a new big museum in the center of Montpellier, close to "place de la comedie", of course the luggage storage is for people who visit the museum, but if there is a lot of people they won't pay attention. It's a room on the left in the entrance, there are boxes where you can put a bag. You need to put one coin inside to have the key which they give you back.
+
'''''EDIT 2017''': The first "péage" doesn't exist anymore. About the big one, it depends on the direction you're going. Going East/North won't work, as people arriving to this toll stop in or around Montpellier. (The main traffic that's going further takes a different route, quicker, right in the middle of the two big tolls with no possibility to stop.) Going West/South is still possible from this spot (traffic from Montpellier and surroundings).''
It's a nice painting museum for people who like art, i got a free entrance telling i was a student in art university, i told i forget my student card and they gave me a ticket. It can maybe work for you.
 
  
==Going North or East: [[Lyon]], [[Paris]], [[Aix-en-Provence]] and [[Marseille]] ==
+
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A9_autoroute This link] shows all the péages, exits and petrol stations of the A9.
Follow the same directions as above.
 
  
 +
=== East and North [[Marseille]], [[Lyon]], beach ===
 +
The "all directions" tip above, or:
 +
If you like [[hitchhiker's safety|safe]] and easy hitchhiking, it's advised to take Tram number 1 to Odysseum, get off at Place de France, which is one stop before the last stop, then walk a bit back to the roundabout and go the Av. du Mondial up to the north. Walk straight and you will see a hill on the left, right in front of the highway. Go up (better to have good shoes on!) and you find at the top this brilliant hitchhiking spot - Elf [[petrol station hitchhiking|petrol station]]. You can try there, or stand with a sign on Av Pierre Mendes, just before the entrance to the station.
 +
[https://www.openstreetmap.org/search?query=43.60806%2C3.91311#map=18/43.60806/3.91311 where it is?]
  
[[Category:France]]
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=== South or West towards [[Perpignan]], [[Toulouse]], [[Bordeaux]] and [[Barcelona]] ===
 +
The "all directions" tip, above, by far seems the best bet as these two mean hitching out of a roundabout, which is never as favorable as a péage. But if in any case you need to hitch out without using the tram or péage others have used these routes:
 +
 
 +
'''Option One''': Another option is to get to ''Place de L'Europe'' ([https://www.openstreetmap.org/search?query=43.60735%2C3.89391#map=18/43.60742/3.89523]), for example by taking tramline 1. From there you can already see signs to the motorway. You can either follow those signs and the main road ''Avenue de Président Pierre Mendes France'' for about 15 to 20 minutes, or get a ride from where this road starts to either your destination or to a better location further up the road, at the roundabout where the main motorway A9/E15 actually connects to the ''Avenue de Président Pierre Mendes France''.
 +
 
 +
''Note'': There is not a very good spot for cars to stop, but they stop at the [[roundabout]] for traffic with enough time to ask drivers for a ride, and for them to open the door.
 +
 
 +
'''Option Two''': A second option is the [https://www.openstreetmap.org/search?query=43.58922%2C3.89010#map=18/43.58922/3.89010 roundabout] off ''Avenue de Palavas'' (near Tramway 4 - Garcia Lorca). However there is no good spot for cars to stop at the roundabout, and nowhere on the ramp either. [[User:Zac Stewart|Zac]] waited for an entire day for a ride to [[Perpignan]] without luck and shamefully retreated to the train station.
 +
 
 +
'''Option Three''': Take tram to stop "Sabines" and walk down Avenue d'El Alamein. You'll find [https://www.openstreetmap.org/search?query=43.5766%2C3.8736#map=16/43.5766/3.8736 roundabout].
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''Option Four''': The Toll 'Saint-Jean-De-Védas' is easily reachable by tram and by foot (Vinci Autoroutes, A9, 34430 Saint-Jean-de-Védas) but in summer 2018 I was kicked out by the police. So an other option it to reach the (big) first gas station on the highway. From 'Gare Saint Roch' in Montpellier take the tram 2 until the final station 'Saint Jean de Védas Centre'. At the same spot take the buss 33 with the same ticket (it is his starting point) until 'Les Hauts'.You will be on 'Avenue Charles de Gaulle. you go down this road to the crossing with Larenas road. You will see a square of shops (one sailing trailers), go along it on its right side when you face it. You will find an empty field on your right that you cross (there is a little path and a hole in the little fence at his end) to reach a little park, go until 43.554730, 3.789669 where the dry (summer 2019) stream is totally crossable (even in winter since it not really wide). Pass under the brigde that is above the road D613 and simply follow the path that locals use (and is on no maps) and you are going to reach the 'Chemin des Fabriques' that leads you directly to the gas station 'Aires de Service de Montpellier ENI Fabrègues'- 43.547322, 3.794899.
 +
 
 +
== Useful tips ==
 +
It seems the tram is not checked often by ticket controllers. Only sometimes at the main train station and the controllers are many in white shirts, easy to see.
 +
 
 +
You can find free luggage storage at the "Musée Fabre," a big new museum in the center of Montpellier, close to "Place de la Comedie". Of course the luggage storage is for people who visit the museum, but if there is a lot of people they won't pay attention. It's a room on the left in the entrance, there are boxes where you can put a bag. You need to put one coin inside to have the key which they give you back.
 +
 
 +
Update 07/2015 only for small luggage and a guad is watching
 +
 
 +
It's a nice painting museum for people who like art. Use an ISIC card (or say you have one) for free entrance.
 +
 
 +
You can get free veggies and fruits at the end of the market on Figuerolles. They close by 11/12.
 +
 
 +
June 2017: Every Thursday, at least during the summer, in the big gazebo in the parc Esplanade, there is a huge unofficial (ie. spontaneous, traditional, certainly doesn't cost money) party with musicians and traditional French dancing. It's lots of fun, go make some friends.
 +
 
 +
There is a flea market on Sunday (early) around the tram stop Mosson, end of line 1 Lots of random crap, lots of clothes, some food. Apparently there will be lots of stuff left over by vendors around 1-1:30. There are a few other flea markets in town.
 +
 
 +
The organization Mama Sound publishes a small pamphlet (free) every month that lists all the events happening in town.
  
Option 3:
+
{{hitchbase_city|667}}
Since few months there is a new tramway line in Montpellier, line 2, it goes directly to a toll(peage). Take tram number 2 at the train station, direction "saint jean de vedas", then get out at the stop "saint jean le sec", on the stop look around and you will see a toll, you can hitchhike on this one if you want, but there is a low traffic, so the best is to go on the big toll where all the cars from North or South have to stop, this one is 500 meters more in the south. To get on, you need to walk after the little toll on direction of highway, it's illegal so you need to walk along the road but on the grass close to it...then you will see the big toll from where it's easy to get 300 or 400 km ride to every directions.
+
{{IsIn|Languedoc-Roussilion}}
 +
{{Hitchhiking Zine nomination}}
 +
__NOTOC__
  
 +
[[trash:Montpellier]]
  
Additional information about Montpellier:
+
[[Category:France]]
 +
[[Category:E11]]
  
You can find free luggage storage at the "Musee Fabre" a new big museum in the center of Montpellier, close to "place de la comedie", of course the luggage storage is for people who visit the museum, but if there is a lot of people they won't pay attention. It's a room on the left in the entrance, there are boxes where you can put a bag. You need to put one coin inside to have the key which they give you back.
+
[[de:Montpellier]]
It's a nice painting museum for people who like art, i got a free entrance telling i was a student in art university, i told i forget my student card and they gave me a ticket. It can maybe work for you.
+
[[fr:Montpellier]]

Revision as of 13:25, 11 August 2019

Montpellier is a city in the South of France.

Apart from an attractive city in itself, it is situated next to a main motorway A9/E15 connecting cities such as Perpignan and Barcelona to the South, Aix-en-Provence and Marseille to the East, Lyon and Paris to the North, and Toulouse and Bordeaux to the West.

Hitchhiking out

All Directions

The tramway line in Montpellier, line 2 (the flower tram), goes directly to a péage (toll plaza). Take tram line 2 from the train station, in the direction of "St. Jean de Vedas", then get out at the next-to-last stop, "St. Jean le Sec". At the stop look around and you will see a péage behind a roundabout.

EDIT 2017: The "péage" doesn't exist anymore. Hitchhiking is still possible in the roundabout, between the tramway stop and the highway entrance, with a sign.

The easy spot

The roundabout is a good spot for both directions. Good traffic at normal hours. In case you're going south, "Béziers" is a good city to put on your sign. The next petrol station is right out of Montpellier, and there is another one before Béziers.

If you're going north, you can write "Nimes" on your sign. There is a petrol station before (Ambrussum).

The hard-core spot

If the above spot is too low on traffic (or too easy) for your taste, you can continue walking past the small péage to the multi-lane one where all the cars from North or South have to stop. To reach it, you must walk for 10 minutes beyond the first péage. It is illegal and quite dangerous to walk on the autoroute, so you need to walk far to the side, staying on the grass if possible. You will see the big péage from where you can find a 300 or 400 km ride in any direction.

Attention: there is no parking spot after the péage so you'll have to do it at the very place the people pay. Which is sometimes tolerated by the personnel, and sometimes not.

EDIT 2017: The first "péage" doesn't exist anymore. About the big one, it depends on the direction you're going. Going East/North won't work, as people arriving to this toll stop in or around Montpellier. (The main traffic that's going further takes a different route, quicker, right in the middle of the two big tolls with no possibility to stop.) Going West/South is still possible from this spot (traffic from Montpellier and surroundings).

This link shows all the péages, exits and petrol stations of the A9.

East and North Marseille, Lyon, beach

The "all directions" tip above, or: If you like safe and easy hitchhiking, it's advised to take Tram number 1 to Odysseum, get off at Place de France, which is one stop before the last stop, then walk a bit back to the roundabout and go the Av. du Mondial up to the north. Walk straight and you will see a hill on the left, right in front of the highway. Go up (better to have good shoes on!) and you find at the top this brilliant hitchhiking spot - Elf petrol station. You can try there, or stand with a sign on Av Pierre Mendes, just before the entrance to the station. where it is?

South or West towards Perpignan, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Barcelona

The "all directions" tip, above, by far seems the best bet as these two mean hitching out of a roundabout, which is never as favorable as a péage. But if in any case you need to hitch out without using the tram or péage others have used these routes:

Option One: Another option is to get to Place de L'Europe ([1]), for example by taking tramline 1. From there you can already see signs to the motorway. You can either follow those signs and the main road Avenue de Président Pierre Mendes France for about 15 to 20 minutes, or get a ride from where this road starts to either your destination or to a better location further up the road, at the roundabout where the main motorway A9/E15 actually connects to the Avenue de Président Pierre Mendes France.

Note: There is not a very good spot for cars to stop, but they stop at the roundabout for traffic with enough time to ask drivers for a ride, and for them to open the door.

Option Two: A second option is the roundabout off Avenue de Palavas (near Tramway 4 - Garcia Lorca). However there is no good spot for cars to stop at the roundabout, and nowhere on the ramp either. Zac waited for an entire day for a ride to Perpignan without luck and shamefully retreated to the train station.

Option Three: Take tram to stop "Sabines" and walk down Avenue d'El Alamein. You'll find roundabout.


Option Four: The Toll 'Saint-Jean-De-Védas' is easily reachable by tram and by foot (Vinci Autoroutes, A9, 34430 Saint-Jean-de-Védas) but in summer 2018 I was kicked out by the police. So an other option it to reach the (big) first gas station on the highway. From 'Gare Saint Roch' in Montpellier take the tram 2 until the final station 'Saint Jean de Védas Centre'. At the same spot take the buss 33 with the same ticket (it is his starting point) until 'Les Hauts'.You will be on 'Avenue Charles de Gaulle. you go down this road to the crossing with Larenas road. You will see a square of shops (one sailing trailers), go along it on its right side when you face it. You will find an empty field on your right that you cross (there is a little path and a hole in the little fence at his end) to reach a little park, go until 43.554730, 3.789669 where the dry (summer 2019) stream is totally crossable (even in winter since it not really wide). Pass under the brigde that is above the road D613 and simply follow the path that locals use (and is on no maps) and you are going to reach the 'Chemin des Fabriques' that leads you directly to the gas station 'Aires de Service de Montpellier ENI Fabrègues'- 43.547322, 3.794899.

Useful tips

It seems the tram is not checked often by ticket controllers. Only sometimes at the main train station and the controllers are many in white shirts, easy to see.

You can find free luggage storage at the "Musée Fabre," a big new museum in the center of Montpellier, close to "Place de la Comedie". Of course the luggage storage is for people who visit the museum, but if there is a lot of people they won't pay attention. It's a room on the left in the entrance, there are boxes where you can put a bag. You need to put one coin inside to have the key which they give you back.

Update 07/2015 only for small luggage and a guad is watching

It's a nice painting museum for people who like art. Use an ISIC card (or say you have one) for free entrance.

You can get free veggies and fruits at the end of the market on Figuerolles. They close by 11/12.

June 2017: Every Thursday, at least during the summer, in the big gazebo in the parc Esplanade, there is a huge unofficial (ie. spontaneous, traditional, certainly doesn't cost money) party with musicians and traditional French dancing. It's lots of fun, go make some friends.

There is a flea market on Sunday (early) around the tram stop Mosson, end of line 1 Lots of random crap, lots of clothes, some food. Apparently there will be lots of stuff left over by vendors around 1-1:30. There are a few other flea markets in town.

The organization Mama Sound publishes a small pamphlet (free) every month that lists all the events happening in town.




trash:Montpellier