Place de la Canourgue, Historic square in central Montpellier, France
Place de la Canourgue is a square in central Montpellier lined with mansions primarily built during the 17th century on all four sides. A fountain featuring horse sculptures sits at its center, and the open layout provides space for walking and observation.
The square emerged in the early 1600s after plans to build a new cathedral on an older church site were abandoned. This shift allowed the development of a public square that soon became the city's social and economic hub.
This square has long served as a gathering point where locals conducted daily commerce and celebrated community events. The surrounding buildings and layout reflect how central this space remained to city life for centuries.
The square is easily accessible on foot from central Montpellier and sits within an area of paved walkways and clear pathways. You can visit at any time since it is open to public access with no special restrictions or entry requirements.
Beneath the square lie remnants of an earlier church, including ancient holy water basins and gravestones, uncovered during archaeological work. This hidden history reveals how many layers of activity and use accumulated at this location over centuries.
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