Every June, the Festival des Architectures Vives opens courtyards of private mansions that are usually closed. Architects install temporary works there: a walking trail through the Écusson, free of charge.
The festival has run since 2006, organised by the Champ Libre association. The route shifts a little each year, but it stays in the historic centre. Dates, courtyard map and current edition: festivaldesarchitecturesvives.com.
About ten minutes by tram to the Écusson
From the apartment, tram line 4 (direction B) stops at the Corum, Louis Blanc, Albert 1er – Jardin des Plantes, then Peyrou – Arc de Triomphe, in about ten minutes. The trail is then on foot: Hôtel de Lunas, rue de la Valfère, is a few minutes from the stop.
The address: La Perle des Aubes, 53 boulevard Charles Warnery, Les Aubes.
• A 3-bedroom flat for 6 guests, 2 bathrooms.
• Parking in the residence, with a badge — useful in June, when the Écusson is best on foot.
• Tram line 4, Les Aubes stop, at the foot of the building, towards Peyrou – Arc de Triomphe.
How to reach the FAV courtyards
By tram (the easiest option) — L4 from Les Aubes, direction B, stop Peyrou – Arc de Triomphe. Courtyards are in the Écusson: follow the year’s map. Depending on which mansions open, Corum, Louis Blanc or Albert 1er can also work.
On foot — allow 30–40 minutes to the Peyrou. Pleasant in daytime; the tram leaves more time to walk the trail.
By car — do not plan to park in the historic centre during the festival. Use the residence car park, then line 4.
Book for the FAV
June fills up early in Montpellier: the FAV in the Écusson, then Montpellier Danse later in the month. The year’s courtyard map is on festivaldesarchitecturesvives.com.
👉 Check availability at La Perle des Aubes
Frequently asked questions
Where to stay during the Festival des Architectures Vives? — La Perle des Aubes, a 3-bed apartment for 6 at 53 boulevard Charles Warnery, residence parking, tram L4 to the Peyrou.
How long to the courtyards? — About ten minutes on L4, Peyrou – Arc de Triomphe stop. The trail is then on foot through the Écusson.
Is there parking? — Yes, private parking in the residence. Avoid parking in the Écusson during the festival.
Where is the programme? — festivaldesarchitecturesvives.com. Free admission. Another June date: Montpellier Danse.
Photos: Hôtel de Lunas courtyard — Albertvillanovadelmoral, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; staircase — Finoskov, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
