This is a 7 km ‘runseeing’ tour of the older, historic sections of Montpellier, highlighting the Place Europe, Antigone, Arch, Botanic Gardens, and the Charles de Gaulle Esplanade. It’s a pedestrian-friendly route. without many turns, and good opportunities to add on. A shorter option is just over 5 km, featuring mainy the Esplanade and Arc.
Charles de Gaulle Esplanade. Wikimedia.
Start at Espl. de l’Europe, near the Antigone Pool. Run through a series of pedestrian squares in the Antigone area, along the Place du Millénaire — a sort of grand allée. Exit on the left side of the shopping center to take Rue Beaudin to the Fountain of the Three Graces, then Rue de la Loge to Rue Foch, which makes a grand approach to the Arc de Triomphe, including the imposing, 1700s era Saint-Clément Aqueduct. From the Arc, head northeast along Rue Richer to the Botanical Garden, and then an 0.5 km out and back jaunt along Boul. Henry IV. Next, take Rue de Refuge through the older, cobblestoned section of Montpellier, passing the Cathedral and two squares, to the Charles de Gaulle Esplanade. End the run along one of the allées through Antigone.
Aqueduct. Wikimedia Commons
Add-Ons: A couple of loops around the Esplanade and Botanical Gardens; weave in and out of the maze-like streets of the older section of Montpellier. Paths along the Lez River headed south.
This is a 7 km ‘runseeing’ tour of the older, historic sections of Montpellier, highlighting the Place Europe, Antigone, Arch, Botanic Gardens, and the Charles de Gaulle Esplanade. It’s a pedestrian-friendly route. without many turns, and good opportunities to add on. A shorter option is just over 5 km, featuring mainy the Esplanade and Arc.
Charles de Gaulle Esplanade. Wikimedia.
Start at Espl. de l’Europe, near the Antigone Pool. Run through a series of pedestrian squares in the Antigone area, along the Place du Millénaire — a sort of grand allée. Exit on the left side of the shopping center to take Rue Beaudin to the Fountain of the Three Graces, then Rue de la Loge to Rue Foch, which makes a grand approach to the Arc de Triomphe, including the imposing, 1700s era Saint-Clément Aqueduct. From the Arc, head northeast along Rue Richer to the Botanical Garden, and then an 0.5 km out and back jaunt along Boul. Henry IV. Next, take Rue de Refuge through the older, cobblestoned section of Montpellier, passing the Cathedral and two squares, to the Charles de Gaulle Esplanade. End the run along one of the allées through Antigone.
Aqueduct. Wikimedia Commons
Add-Ons: A couple of loops around the Esplanade and Botanical Gardens; weave in and out of the maze-like streets of the older section of Montpellier. Paths along the Lez River headed south.
Running along the Lez River in Montpellier is a classic European river run. There are paths on both sides of the river from the Espl. de l'Europe in central Montpellier, south for 5+ km to Lattes. Options to extend south of Lattes.
A run anchored by the southern part of the Lez River in Lattes is a nice loop, incorporating a marina, riverfront paths, marshlands, and bucolic farming fields. Nearly all off-road or on lightly trafficked secondary roads.
Extensive running options south of Montpellier around marhlands, former salt mines, and a series of canals and waterways. Routes in Réserve l'Estagnol, Salines de Villeneuve, & Canal du Rhône à Sète. Scenic, open, and flat!
A unique 10k run highlighting the area's unique geographic setting, with fantastic variety: beachside promenade, quaiside river paths, a tour of the marina, pier to an oceanside point, and road out to an old fort and Parc du levant.
Excellent running opportunities in a series of beach resorts located 15 km south of Montpellier, anchored by Palavas-les-Flots. Lovely beaches, quiet roads, and off-road runs in parks, preserves, and around marshlands.
Sète is a major port city, located 33 km south of Montpellier. There's a scenic run along the marina/port for up to 5.6 km, and many km of running on the wide, sandy runnable beach.
Marseillan is a port town on the other side of the Étang de Thau (lake) from Sète. The best places to run are along a 7 km beach, a path out to the Onglus Lighthouse, and a waterfront route along the lake/marina.
The best places to run in this Mediterranean port of the Canal du Midi, located 50 km south of Montpellier, are the paths along the Hérault River, quai paths around the Port du Cap d'Agde Marina, and along Rochelongue Beach.
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