As the Tour de France returns to Montpellier this Tuesday, July 22nd, the city is preparing for a series of traffic restrictions and route changes for both vehicles and public transportation, impacting the daily routines of many residents. The measures taken include road closures, parking bans, and tram line diversions to ensure the smooth running of this international event. Road Closures and Parking Bans To ensure the safety and smooth running of the Tour de France, significant traffic restrictions are in place in Montpellier starting Monday, July 21st. From 5:00 a.m., traffic is prohibited until 1:00 p.m. on the service road off Avenue Raymond Dugrand, leading to the Richter parking lot. Similarly, the deceleration lane on Avenue Vincent Auriol will be closed to vehicles this Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. On race day, approximately twenty roads, squares, and parking lots will be closed to traffic between 5 a.m. and 3 p.m., affecting locations such as Place du Père Louis, Rue de Thèbes, and the Esplanade de l’Europe, among others. In addition, starting Monday, July 21, vehicle parking is strictly prohibited along the entire race route, creating some inconveniences for residents, who will have to reorganize accordingly. Changes to the Tram Network
The tram lines will also undergo changes. Only Line 3 will maintain its usual route. On Line 1, from 9:40 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Du Guesclin, Antigone, Léon Blum, and Place de l’Europe stations will not be served, requiring passengers to use the Carnot, Voltaire, and Rives du Lez stops. As for Line 2, it will also be diverted during these hours and will not serve the Comédie and Corum stations. Finally, Line 4
will be inoperable between Place de l’Europe and Observatoire from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m., and its route will be temporarily merged with that of line 3 between Rondelet and Moularès. Impact on bus routes and possible alternatives Bus users will not be left out of the disruption. Shuttles 23, 26, and Agropolis will be suspended until 3 p.m. For line 22, no service will operate between the Vincent Auriol and Montmaur stops from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Line 16 will avoid Place de l’Europe and Pont Juvénal, while line 15 will not stop at the Henri Dunant, Major Flandre, Sainte-Catherine, and Tourterelles stations. Line 14 will not be able to access the Léon Blum and Place de l’Europe sectors, thus increasing the inconvenience for users. Useful Resources and News Updates For more information on these disruptions, please visit the City of Montpellier website. Stay informed of the latest developments by subscribing to My News, and view additional articles related to local events and other disruptions in Montpellier.