Antigone is a neighborhood in Montpellier, in the Occitania region of southern France. It is known for its neoclassical architecture, designed by the Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill, and for an urban layout that sets it apart from the older streets of the city centre.
What to expect
Antigone is a planned district, so its appeal lies largely in its scale and its design. Visitors who enjoy architecture will find it worth a slow walk. The buildings draw on classical forms, and the broad open spaces between them give the area a calm and orderly feel that contrasts with the narrower lanes of the historic quarter.
Walking the district
- Take time to look at how the buildings relate to one another and to the open spaces around them.
- Compare the planned layout with the older parts of Montpellier, which are a short distance away.
- Allow time for a stop along the way, since the district is best experienced on foot.
Around the area
Because Antigone sits within Montpellier, it makes a natural part of a wider day in the city. Visitors can combine a visit here with time in the medieval centre, its squares and cafés, and with the regional character of Occitania. Antigone suits a visitor who wants to see how a modern city has been shaped, as well as the older streets that define much of its appeal.