Montpellier, France 🇫🇷
#335
43.611242, 3.876733
Nomad Score:
70%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Montpellier is a vibrant city located in the south of France, known for its historical architecture and a strong student population. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 290,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD, widely accepted credit/debit cards and local banks like BNP Paribas. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and safe to consume. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Revolut and N26 are popular among expats for their ease of use. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options available include Airbnb, local lettings, and Spotahome. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted and mobile payments are common. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo are actively used for short-term stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel La Petite Sieste and Hotel California offer affordable lodgings. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Le Numa and Antigone Expansion are popular spots among remote workers. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Brasserie Le Nôtre is known for its work-friendly environment. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Events organized by Meetup and BNI Montpellier provide networking opportunities. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Montpellier Expats Facebook group has regular community gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Bolt are operational in the area. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | VéloMagg offers bike rentals across the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Palavas-les-Flots, about 15 mins by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air France and regional flights available from Montpellier Méditerranée Airport. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Ryanair and EasyJet provide international connections. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | A9 highway provides direct access to major cities like Nîmes and Avignon. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Montpellier Saint-Roch Station is the main transit hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | TAM offers monthly and daily passes for buses and trams. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | The SNCF rail service connects to nearby cities like Toulouse and Marseille. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | CHU de Montpellier is the primary healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | YogaMix offers various classes for wellness enthusiasts. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and Keep Cool are popular gym options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laverie Automatic offers self-service laundry facilities. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and UberEats have a strong presence. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try the 'Tielle' pastry, a local specialty filled with seafood. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Le Hasard offers a great vegan menu. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Patisserie Roussilhe offers delightful pastries and cakes. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Les Halles Laissac is a great market for budget-friendly food. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon France and Cdiscount are popular online shopping platforms. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Groupe Casino offers grocery delivery in the city. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Rue de la République is known for its vibrant nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Montpellier Brewery offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Le Vieux Saint-Roch is a top wine bar in the city. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Find delicious options at Place de la Comédie. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Mamma Mia serves excellent Italian dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Place de la Comédie and the Antigone district are must-visit sites. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Musée Fabre showcases significant European art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Promenade du Peyrou offers historical architecture and views. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Saint-Pierre Cathedral is an incredible historical site. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | FISE World Montpellier is a major extreme sports festival. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Écusson district houses many boutiques and cafés. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Opéra Comédie is renowned for its performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Marché du Lez is a popular local market featuring crafts and food. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Check out Le Rockstore for live music events. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The Rue du Faubourg des Augustins is known for vibrant street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | L'Atelier des Chefs offers cooking classes in French cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galerie Saint-Ravy features contemporary art exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Arc de Triomphe is a notable historic landmark. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Montpellier's history as a medieval university city is celebrated through various festivals. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Parc Zoologique is a family-friendly outdoor spot. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | The Cévennes National Park is within driving distance, ideal for hiking. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Promenade des Bords du Lez offers beautiful paths for walking and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | La Serre Amazonienne provides stunning views of tropical plants and a rooftop terrace. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Étang de l'Or offers great opportunities for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Various parks like Parc de la Cigale allow gatherings with bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Colissimo and Chronopost provide reliable delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | GSM Montpellier offers electronics repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | The Montpellier Table Tennis Club is a great place for enthusiasts. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Institut de Français offers French language classes and immersion. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Médiathèque Emile Zola is a great place to study and read. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Le Centre Culturel offers various community activities and classes. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Arcade Club Montpellier is popular with gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino de Montpellier provides various gaming options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €96,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €78,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €180,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €144,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €224,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €176,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Standard corporate tax rate is 26.5%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Tax rate applied is 30%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed based on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate is 45%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard Value Added Tax rate is 20%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, France has strict CFC rules for foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, property tax is based on cadastral income. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Standard rate is 5.09% for property purchases. |