The Peyrou Promenade

The Peyrou promenade, the royal belvedere of Montpellier

Praised for its panorama over the hinterland and its terraces, the Peyrou promenade makes visitors dream. This vast esplanade, also called the royal square of the Peyrou, dominates the city to the west of the Écusson district. The Montpellier audio-guided tour stops here to reveal how this belvedere became one of the great settings of the Languedoc city.

An esplanade born in the seventeenth century

It all began at the end of the seventeenth century, when the Estates of Languedoc decided to lay out a royal square here to erect an equestrian statue of Louis XIV. Through successive embellishments, the esplanade of nearly five hectares was adorned with terraced gardens and a monumental water tower, the arrival point of the Saint-Clément aqueduct. The result is one of the finest classical ensembles in the South.

What to see

From the Peyrou, the eye takes in Montpellier, the plain and, in clear weather, the foothills of the Cévennes or the blue line of the sea. You admire the equestrian statue of Louis XIV, the water tower and the arches of the aqueduct unfolding below. It is a stroll spot prized by the people of Montpellier, ideal at the end of the day, and one of the best viewpoints in the city.

Practical information

The Peyrou promenade lies west of the Écusson district, in the centre of Montpellier, reachable on foot and extended by the Arc de Triomphe. It is an open public space, freely accessible, particularly pleasant at the gentle hours of the day. Broadly flat on the main esplanade, it remains easy to access, although a few levels link the terraces.

What can you see from the Peyrou promenade?

A wide panorama over Montpellier and its hinterland, as well as the equestrian statue of Louis XIV, the water tower and the arches of the Saint-Clément aqueduct below.

Why is the promenade called the royal square of the Peyrou?

Because it was laid out at the end of the seventeenth century as a royal square intended to hold an equestrian statue of Louis XIV, at the top of the Peyrou hill.