WELCOME TO OCCITANIE
Information for Delegates
About Occitanie
The Occitanie Region is a dynamic destination, combining historic heritage with unspoilt nature. Bordered by the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees, it offers a diversity of landscapes, from sunny beaches to rugged mountains, with remarkable biodiversity.
Toulouse and Montpellier metropolis, are surrounded by 41 Grands Sites, including 10 UNESCO sites, such as Carcassonne and the Pont du Gard. The region combines cultural traditions, festivals and authentic gastronomy, with specialities such as cassoulet and renowned wines.
Committed to sustainable tourism, Occitanie is showcasing its 8,000 km of footpaths, its protected lagoons and its excellent wine tourism. Its balance of nature, culture and innovation makes it an ideal setting for meetings and events.
About Montpellier
France’s 7th largest city, Montpellier is an internationally renowned destination that’s become a must-see. Between its festivals, its many cultural venues and its 300 days of sunshine a year, the urban buzz is permanent. Montpellier is the only city in France to have been awarded the Capital Santé label, the world’s 5th-largest start-up incubator, and boasts 3 stars in the Michelin Green Guide.
Montpellier is loved by start-ups, investors and all French people, whether for a weekend or a lifetime. Connected and productive, Montpellier also boasts a rich historical heritage, an exceptional living environment thanks to its Mediterranean climate and ideal location between the sea and the mountains, gastronomy and traditions, not to mention the warm welcome of its inhabitants. Here, daring contemporary buildings by leading international architects (Jean Nouvel, Zaha Hadid, Ricardo Bofill etc…) stand side by side with the charm of the old town: Europe’s oldest medical school still in operation, medieval streets, courtyards of private mansions… 1,000 years of history! Just 11 km from the Mediterranean, Montpellier offers a unique natural diversity, with vineyards, rivers and unspoilt countryside. Modern and attractive, Montpellier is an essential destination for living, innovating and socialising
Conference Venues
Nelson Mandela House of International Relations
GD Partners Day Venue
The Nelson Mandela House of International Relations, located in the Hôtel de Sully, is a place dedicated to cooperation and cultural exchange. It hosts conferences, exhibitions and diplomatic events, underlining Montpellier’s international outlook.
L'Agora, Cité Internationale de la Danse
GD Delegates Welcome Venue
L’Agora, Cité Internationale de la Danse, is an emblematic Montpellier venue housed in the former Ursulines Convent, dating from the XVIIᵉ century. Transformed into a space dedicated to creation and training, it hosts artist residencies, shows and events.
Le Corum (Convention centre)
GD Conference Venue
The Corum is Montpellier’s emblematic conference and exhibition centre, designed by Claude Vasconi and inaugurated in 1988. With its pink marble façade and harmonious integration into the city, it offers an uninterrupted view of the historic centre and optimum accessibility.
Salle des Rencontres (Montpellier City Hall)
GD Conference Dinner Venue
The “Salle des Rencontres”, located in Montpellier Town Hall, is a modern, modular space dedicated to events and conferences. Designed by Jean Nouvel and François Fontès, this emblematic building combines contemporary design, brightness and state-of-the-art facilities in the heart of the Rives du Lez.
Getting to Montpellier
By Air
Montpellier-Méditerranée international airport is just 8 km from the city centre and offers excellent facilities and a wide range of services. In 2019, this airport was recognised for the quality of its service, ranking among the best airports in Europe in its category.
15 airlines operate direct flights to 13 international destinations and 8 destinations in France. It is also easily accessible from the airports of Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Béziers and Carcassonne. Flying time from Paris is around 1h15, 1h35 from London, 1h35 from Frankfurt, 1h55 from Amsterdam…
- Airport shuttle (line 620): the shuttle links the airport to Montpellier city centre in around 20 minutes. Departures are every 30 minutes between 8.30am and 8.30pm.
- By car: Montpellier Méditerranée airport is located 10 minutes from the city centre and beaches, at the gateway to the motorway network.
For more information, visit:
By Bus
International bus services offer connections to Montpellier from many other European cities: Berlin, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Liège, Florence, Milan, Rome, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Bucharest… and many more!
International and intercity buses arrive and depart via Montpellier bus station. In addition to many other European destinations, regular services to and from Barcelona, Milan and Geneva operate several times a day.
For more information, visit:
By Train
Montpellier has excellent rail links, with direct connections to many major European cities via the TGV network.
The city has two main stations: Montpellier Saint-Roch station, located in the city centre, making it easy to get around, and Montpellier Sud de France station, which serves high-speed lines and improves regional accessibility.
Direct trains link Montpellier to Paris in around 3 hours 30 minutes, Barcelona in 3 hours and Brussels in 5 hours 50 minutes.
For more information, visit:
By Car
You can travel across France on the A9 motorway, which is the quickest route to Montpellier. The city is well served by a well-developed road network, providing easy access from many parts of Europe.
Montpellier is reached via the following motorways:
- A75 -from north
- A61/62 -from west
- A7/A9 -from east
- A9 from south
by bicycle
For the more adventurous, why not cycle your way to Montpellier?
With well-planned cycling routes, you can reach the city while taking in stunning landscapes along the way. For instance, the ViaRhôna allows you to cycle 665 km from Geneva (Switzerland) to Palavas-les-Flots (France), passing through over 2,000 years of history along the Rhône River.
Once in Montpellier, you’ll find an extensive network of cycling lanes, making it easy to explore the city and its surroundings on two wheels.
Travel Information
Visa for Foreign Visitors
France is part of the Schengen visa zone. Nationals of the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA) and third-country nationals holding a Schengen residence permit do not need a visa to enter France.
There are also several other countries whose citizens do not need a visa to enter France for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
For more information on visa applications and travelling to France, please visit:
Accomodation
Promo code valid for all hotels below:
GDM2025
Cancellation, payment terms according to hotel general policies.
Royal Hotel ★★★
📌14 min walk to the venue (1,1 km)
🎫Discount code available for delegates
📅Bookings: Book on line or by phone (+33 4 67 92 13 36) with promo code: GDM2025.
Best Western Plus Comédie St-Roch ★★★
📌17 min walk to the venue (1,2 km)
🎫Discount code available for delegates
📅Bookings: Please make sure to book via email (contact@lhotel-montpellier.com) or by phone (+33 4 99 13 33 44) with this promo code: GDM2025
Novotel Montpellier Sud ★★★★
📌43 min walk to the venue (3,1 km) or 17 min by public transport
🎫Discount code available for delegates
📅Bookings: Via email to Ms. Nathalie DE FOSSET (h0450-re@accor.com) with promo code: GDM2025
Kyriad Hotel Montpellier Centre Antigone ★★★
📌14 min walk to the venue (1 km)
🎫Discount code available for delegates.
📅Bookings: Via email (info@kyriad-montpelliercentre.com) or by phone (+33 4 67 64 88 50) with promo code: GDM2025
Hôtel des Arceaux ★★★
📌 17 min walk to the venue (1,2 km)
🎫Discount code available for delegates
📅Bookings: Via email (contact@hoteldesarceaux.com) or by phone + 33 4 67 92 03 03) with promo code: GDM2025
Pullman La Pléiade Montpellier Centre ★★★★
📌16 min walk to the venue (1,2 km)
🎫Discount code available for delegates
📅Bookings: Via email (h1294@accor.com) or by phone (+ 33 4 67 99 72 72) with promo code: GDM2025
Privilège Hôtel Eurociel Centre Comédie ★★★
📌15 min walk to the venue (1 km)
🎫Discount code available for delegates
📅Bookings: Via e-mail (reception@hoteleurociel.fr) or by phone (+33 4 67 07 51 61) with promo code: GDM2025
Hotel Ulysse Montpellier Centre Corum ★★★
📌9 min walk to the venue (650 m)
🎫Discount code available for delegates
📅Bookings: Please make sure to book via email, providing the following information:
- Promo code GDM2025
- Last name and first name
- Dates of stay
- Number of people and desired room type
- Mobile phone number
- Credit card number for guarantee with a valid expiration date
Practical Information
Public Transportation
Montpellier is a dynamic city with excellent transport links and one of the largest tramway networks in France. The Montpellier tramway is the ideal way to get around Montpellier and discover the city from a different angle, on foot or by bike. After being judged the “sexiest tramway in Europe” in 2012 by the New York Times, Montpellier’s tramway was voted the most beautiful in France out of the twelve major French transport networks, according to a survey by the daily newspaper 20 minutes.
The bus network effectively complements the tramway links to the various districts of Montpellier.
To make it easier for you to get around during the event, don’t forget to buy a transport pass, which will give you unlimited access to public transport for the duration of your stay.
Weather
At the end of September, the average temperature in Montpellier is 20°C, offering pleasantly warm days and mild evenings. Nights remain comfortable, with an average minimum temperature of 15°C. Daytime temperatures can reach around 25°C, so pack light clothes, but remember to bring a jacket for the evenings.
Language
In Montpellier, you’ll easily find people ready to welcome you and communicate in several languages. French is the main language, but English is also widely spoken, particularly in tourist areas and at international events.
Currency
The currency used in France is the euro (€). ATMs are available throughout the city, and card payments are widely accepted. If necessary, Bureaux de Change are available to exchange foreign currencies.
Travel Tips
Montpellier is a welcoming city, rich in culture and history, with a seductive Mediterranean atmosphere. During your stay, make the most of the many sites to visit, the natural areas and the local gastronomy.
Sponsors & Partners
See you in Occitanie!
Don’t miss this chance to be part of a transformative movement toward a more sustainable future in tourism. Secure your spot today and help make a positive impact on the future of travel.
Early Bird tickets are now available – use the code GD2025EARLY-BIRD to grab yours at a discounted rate!
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