VIews of Montpellier

We've been settled in Montpellier for about two weeks now, and are beginning to find our way around.  In France there seems to be no reason for streets to meet at right angles, nor for an intersection to contain only two streets. As in Paris, in Montpellier there are a few long, wide streets connected and crossed (at random angles) by smaller roads. It tends to make navigation a bit confusing.

And that is in the more modern part of town. The old town is particularly confronting! However, we've been here long enough to learn our way around, and with a bit of care, we don't get hopelessly lost anymore.

To show you what I mean, here's a map of the downtown area (the 'burbs extend for quite a ways outside this area!)

The darker orange is the old city, as defined by the original Medieval walls (which no longer exist). This area is called the Shield (Escusson in French), due to its shape. We live just outside the old walled area (see Us, in the lower left?). Nice, older buildings, but not the tight, Medieval streets of the old town.

To give a sense of scale, we can walk to the east edge of the Shield (the bulge on the right) in about 15 minutes. More, if we wander (and why would we not wander??) Compared to Paris the area feels quite small and manageable. We get out and explore a bit every day. Here's some of what we've found.

Street musicians. Many styles and varieties. These Gypsies are playing the main square, Place de la Comedie, in front of the opera house. Seems they're there at least every Sunday. Play real well!

The same square at night. It gets dark late here; this is at about 10PM.

A shady café is a welcome find  in the narrow streets

Crazy bicycle art

Always lots of tourists (yes, that's a "selfie stick" and no, they are not Americans!)

And street people (often with dogs)

Some monumental architecture, and a few great sunsets

And plenty of street musicians, these with some catchy rhythms

And plenty of street musicians, these with some catchy rhythms

To hear these "catchy rhythms," check this video:

Lyrics:

Color!

Coffee!

How I love the color of coffee!

(Repeat)

Next up: Trompe l'oeil in Montpellier: things aren't always what they seem!