** Last Updated June 2006
Passport
Approximately four months before traveling to Montpellier, travelers will want to order a passport if they do not already have one. Passport applications can be obtained from the United States Postal Service. For more information about passport services, such as costs and to view application forms, visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/fri/faq/faq_1741.html.
A visa is not required for visits up to 90 days in France.
Transport
Order tickets from a travel agent at least three to five months of travel to avoid increased airfare rates. SCL is not a travel agency and is not able to answer travel related questions. Sister Cities is not responsible for booking airline tickets. SCL uses and recommends Travel Professionals (502-955-9037) for traveling to Montpellier, France. Many people find very affordable rates online.
 Air France and Delta are the two major air carriers that fly from Louisville to Montpellier. Both Air France and Delta fly from Louisville to Atlanta; Atlanta to Paris (CDG); Paris (CDG) to Montpellier. Some travelers choose to go to the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati airport and fly Cincinnati to Paris; Paris to Montpellier. Rates vary significantly during the winter and summer months. Tickets from Cincinnati to Paris can run as little as $350-$500 USD. Tickets from Louisville to Montpellier range from approximately $650+ USD (winter months) - $2,000+ USD (summer months).
Visitors traveling to Montpellier must fly through Paris or Nice. Many visitors choose to spend time in Paris on the front-end or back-end of their trip. Flights from Paris to Montpellier average approximately $250 USD.
Travelers also take the TGV Express from Paris Gare de Lyons to Montpellier. Ticket prices vary depending on the season and time of day. Business class tickets cost approximately $125 €+, and Second Class Tickets range from $50€ - $125 EUR+.
SCL ESTIMATED TRAVEL COSTS:
Airline Ticket- U.S. to Paris
Airline Ticket- Paris to Montpellier
Train Ticket- Paris to Montpellier (optional)
Passport
Three Star Hotel Rm. (Montpellier)
Tours (Paris)
Transportation
Gifts
Incidentals
Shopping (optional) |
$1,000+ avg.
$250+
$100+
$55
$100+ per night
$100+
$50
$50
$100
$200
$2,005 USD |
Travel Insurance
For Sister Cities of Louisville organized trips, travel insurance is available through Sister Cities International’s (SCI) Marketplace. SCI uses Abco 100. For more information about insurance options, visit: http://www.sister-cities.org/Marketplace/Insurance.
SCL Exchanges and Gifts
One month before traveling to Montpellier, France, SCL will hold an orientation meeting for those participating in a SCL Exchange. SCL will provide travelers with an itinerary at this time with information about the cultural exchange in Montpellier. SCL recommends that travelers purchase gifts for their host-family and for the people they will meet in Montpellier. Wonderful gifts can be purchased at the Kentucky Derby Museum, the Kentucky Museum of Art Craft, Louisville Stoneware, A Taste of Kentucky, and The Louisville Store. People in Montpellier enjoy anything that has the name of Louisville written on it. All visitors participating in a Sister Cities exchange are required to become members of Sister Cities of Louisville.
Exchanging Money
SCL highly recommends exchanging approximately $100-$200 USD upon arriving in Paris. Money can be exchanged in the airport in Paris or at the Gare de Lyons train station. SCL highly recommends using one’s credit card for as many purchases as possible to ensure the best exchange rate. It is very easy to change money in Montpellier at the Place de la Comedie in the City Center.
Climate and Dress
Montpellier is on the Mediterranean cost in the Laguedoc Roussillon region. During the winter the weather is very mild ranging from a minimum of 36ºF and 65ºF. It never freezes in Montpellier. Summers can be very hot ranging from 59ºF to 102ºF. Rains in Montpellier can be very heavy with thunderstorms. People dress fairly casual in Montpellier. Beach attire is very common in Montpellier since it is a European tourism destination.
Food
French Mediterranean food is very different and distinctive from northern French food. The Montpellierian diet consists of lots of fruits, vegetables, olive oil, cheese, tomatoes, garlic, fish and seafood. Montpellierians tend to drink the wine from the Languedoc Roussillon region. This region is primarily a red-wine country. It is considered one of the oldest producing wine regions in France from the Roman times. Montpellierians use provincial herbs in their cooking: basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, bay, and savory.
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