Montpellier’s Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe of Montpellier, the royal gateway to the Peyrou

Paris does not hold the monopoly on triumphal arches: Montpellier has its own, erected at the end of the seventeenth century to celebrate the glory of Louis XIV. Set at the entrance of the Peyrou promenade, it marks one of the finest viewpoints in the city. The Montpellier audio-guided tour stops here to tell of the royal ambition that reshaped this district.

A monument to the glory of Louis XIV

The arch was raised at the request of the royal power to celebrate Louis XIV, his decades of reign and the expansion of the kingdom. Built at the end of the seventeenth century on the site of a former gate in the ramparts, it is part of the great remodelling of Montpellier willed under the Sun King. Its bas-reliefs celebrate the deeds of the reign, in the allegorical language dear to the monarchical art of the time.

What to see

The arch stands at the entrance of the Peyrou promenade, which it extends in a single monumental gesture. You admire its sculptures and, in the background, the esplanade and its panorama over the hinterland. Depending on the period, access to the top is through guided visits offered by the tourist office, which provide a remarkable view over the rooftops of Montpellier and the surrounding hills.

Practical information

The Arc de Triomphe lies at the entrance of the Peyrou promenade, in the historic centre of Montpellier, reachable on foot. It is freely admired from the street; access to the monument itself is generally through the tourist office's guided visits, whose hours vary with the season. It is best to enquire in advance about visiting conditions.

Why does Montpellier have a triumphal arch?

It was erected at the end of the seventeenth century to the glory of Louis XIV, to celebrate his reign and the expansion of the kingdom, at the entrance of the Peyrou promenade.

Can you go up to the top of the Arc de Triomphe?

Access to the top is generally through the tourist office's guided visits; as hours vary with the season, it is best to enquire before coming.