Walking

These various public policies in favor of pedestrians will be articulated in a "walkable plan". It is currently being prepared and will give the measure of the City's ambition to give greater comfort and safety to walking.

Among the many measures envisaged:

• extending the pedestrianization of the city center with "pedestrian areas", including the "Sud Comédie" operation with an area devoted to pedestrians increased from 3 to 9.8 hectares ;
• the creation of a large network of pedestrian itineraries, including the chemin de l'Aqueduc Saint-Clément as a pilot project;
• the widening of sidewalks around public transit systems (Tramway Line 5 and bustrams);
• developments to reduce pedestrian journey times;
• the introduction of a "street code", to make everyone better understand the rules of sharing public spaces.

Highlighting the Arceaux-Antigone axis

The Arceaux, Peyrou, rue Foch, Place de la Comédie, Antigone: this architectural and urban heritage is exceptional. In addition to structuring the heart of the metropolis, it encourages visitors to enjoy a beautiful walk. Its enhancement is therefore the order of the day.

The first operations in preparation to give more space to pedestrians: the development of Place Max Rouquette and Place des Martyrs de la Résistance.

An enlarged heart of the metropolis

The place shared by all inhabitants, not only of Montpellier but of the whole metropolis, the space for many meetings and activities, is the center of Montpellier. To ensure that it reflects the territory and its influence, the historic center, the Écusson, will be expanded to become the heart of the Metropole: from east to west, from the banks of the Lez to the Arceaux, from north to south, from the faubourg Boutonnet to the Halles Laissac and all the way to the Cité créative.

The various development and management actions, for example to support shops, will take this space into account. Pedestrians will thus have more space.

"Schoolchildren's streets" in a city "at children's height"

Among the actions in favor of a city "at children's height" is the creation of "schoolchildren's streets". The aim: to make it easier for schoolchildren to get around on foot, bike or scooter.

3 schemes have been implemented:

• development and widening of school forecourts,
• closure to vehicular traffic at school entry and exit times or permanently,
• pedestrianization of the street.

Since 2021, 16 streets have been dedicated to schoolchildren in this way.

One of the main objectives of the redevelopment of major public spaces is to give pedestrians more space, comfort and enjoyment.

Operations are and will be deployed along these lines:

• La place de la Comédie is refreshed with the planting of elms and a planted bench, easier to cross since the floors will no longer be slippery after their "flaming";
• L'Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle is even more conducive to strolls and events, with a water line along the central alley, garden walkways on the sides and an extended play area for children ;
• The Place Max Rouquette, at the foot of Les Arceaux, is to be completely redesigned, with the removal of the parking lot and the development of two gardens around a central space, planted terraces, an intermediate terrace between the Peyrou and the square, and play and sports areas;
• Developments in the "calmed districts" are moving in the same direction, with these 9 major objectives:
  • rethinking the city from a child's point of view;
  • renovating and beautifying the city;
  • favoring local activity and commerce;
  • developing conviviality;
  • improving air quality and the noise environment;
  • vegetate, plant trees and refresh public spaces;
  • enable safe walking to school;
  • favor alternatives to the car: walking, cycling, public transport ;
  • calming traffic, reducing through-traffic in the heart of neighborhoods.

Since May 2021, the approach has started successively in 5 neighborhoods:

• les Arceaux,
• Clemenceau/Rondelet,
• Carnot/Strasbourg,
• Mion/Saint-Martin,
• Beaux-Arts/Boutonnet.

It will continue in other neighborhoods, including Celleneuve, Les Aubes-Pompignane, Plan des 4 Seigneurs.

Reduced mobility, but facilitated mobility: this is the objective shared by the Metropole, the City of Montpellier and TaM. The entire "walkable plan" will, of course, benefit people with reduced mobility.

Free metropolitan transport for accompanying persons

If the accompanying person does not live in the metropolis, the person with reduced mobility must hold a disability card with the words "needing a third person".

Specifically designed stations and stops

• Tramway stations are 100% accessible: platform layout, warning and vigilance strips, protective barriers, positioning of furniture to limit obstacles, flooring, visual contrast.
• The entire bustrams network will also be accessible.
• 85% of priority stops on the bus network are being made accessible.

Specific information media

• The TaM network map and traveler's guide are in Braille and large print, for blind or visually impaired people.
• Passenger information terminals (BIV) are adapted. In stations, blind people can be informed of arrivals and traffic conditions by activating the audible beacon (located under the BIV) with their universal remote controls.

Access to parking spaces

• Spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility: free of charge, they do not require a vehicle declaration.
• Pay spaces for all users: free parking for 24 consecutive hours for CES (Carte Européenne de Stationnement) or CMI (Carte Mobilités Inclusion) cardholders, after vehicle registration:
  • permanently on the TaM website or,
  • on a one-off basis at the parking meter or on the M'Ticket app.

Urban amenities

Allowing people with reduced mobility to move around in wheelchairs in good conditions, thanks to the width of paths, the configuration of roadway crossings, traffic lights with audible announcements, and guide strips.