The Arc de Triomphe in Montpellier

L'arc de triomphe de Montpellier
a monument of glory in Montpellier

Located at the entrance of the Promenade du Peyrou, the former Place Royale, Montpellier’s Arc de Triomphe is a tribute to King Louis XIV and his desire to protect the area during the war. It was at the request of the king himself that the architect François d’Orbay designed this monument, built in 1662. On the sides, the Latin inscription engraved means "Louis the Great, whose reign lasted seventy-two years, brought peace on land and sea after separating, containing and attaching himself to allied peoples in a forty-year war."

folie de grandeur

At 15 metres high and 18 metres wide with a seven-metre-high opening, the Arc de Triomphe makes its mark in Montpellier. Classified as a historical monument since 1954 and renovated in 2003, this monumental work of art, with its ochre and yellow hues, is full of minute details. The most attentive will notice the four medallions sculpted in honour of the highlights of Louis XIV’s reign or the royal coat of arms in the blue colour of France.

A 360° view

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With guides from Montpellier Tourism, walk through the narrow streets of the Écusson district towards the Arc de Triomphe. Once there, climb the 90 steps of the spiral staircase. At the top, enjoy an incredible panorama of the area. On one side, you can see the Palais de Justice, avenue Foch and its beautiful Haussmann buildings, the bell tower of Church of Saint-Anne and the sea on the horizon. On the other side, take in the Promenade du Peyrou and its royal statue, the Château d’Eau with its ornamental lake and Saint-Clément Aqueduct, along with the inland region in the distance between the vineyards and Pic Saint-Loup. For an out-of-the-ordinary outing, the tourist office offers a guided tour by night in season.

The Arc de Triomphe
from the Royal Hôtel

During your stay at the hotel, you only need to walk for about ten minutes to reach the monumental arch. On the way, stroll along the shops on rue de la Loge and rue Foch and treat yourself to a coffee at a table outside. To get there by tramway, take line 5 and get off at the Peyrou stop.