Place de la Comedie, Montpellier

Place de la Comedie, Montpellier

Also known as l’Oef or the Egg for its oval shape, the Place de la Comedie to the south-east of the historic Écusson is the heart of Montpellier and one of the largest pedestrian areas in Europe.

Also known as l’Oef or the Egg for its oval shape, the Place de la Comedie to the south-east of the historic Écusson is the heart of Montpellier and one of the largest pedestrian areas in Europe. It is named after the Opéra Orchestre National which stands on the southwest side of the square. Dating back to the 18th century, the plaza rose to prominence in the 19th century when the Saint-Roch Railway Station was built nearby. Surrounded by Hausmannian buildings with shops and restaurants, the plaza is a popular meeting place.

At one end of the plaza stands the Fountain of the Three Graces (Aglaé, Euphrosyne, and Thalie) by Étienne d'Antoine, a sculptor from Carpentras. To the north, the Place de la Comedie is connected to the Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle and the Champ de Mars, which lead to the Citadel and Corum. At the east corner are the shopping centers of Triangle and Polygone. To the west is the Gaumont Comédie, next to which stands the 'diver' building named for the scuba shape of its dome. Its pediment is decorated with vines and rail, which were the 2 sources of Montpellier's wealth in the 19th century.

Explore the Écusson and Place de la Comedie on Le Petit Train, a toy train that takes passengers on a fun ride through the historic centre of the city. At night, the square and fountain are beautifully lit.