Inaugurated on June 25th, this 18-hectare park located in Cambacérès, nestled between the highway and the railway, completely transforms the neighborhood into a true green oasis. Designed by landscape architect Jacqueline Osty (Grand Prize for Urbanism 2020), this large urban garden is created for everyone: children, casual walkers, Sunday readers, Tuesday athletes, and even ping-pong enthusiasts. Nearly 1,900 trees, shrubs, and bushes engage with the local garrigue, the Nègue-Cats stream, and the future higher education buildings. All of this is freely accessible, just a stone's throw from the tramway.
📸 Retour en images sur l’inauguration du parc Guilhem VIII, le nouveau poumon vert du quartier Cambacérès !
— Ville de Montpellier (@montpellier_) June 25, 2025
🧘 Bancs et zones de détente
🏓 Tables de Ping-pong
🌿 Allées arborées et verdoyantes
Ce parc marque une nouvelle étape dans la métamorphose du quartier. 🌳 pic.twitter.com/nvyHOAnX9V
But who was Guilhem VIII? Lord of Montpellier in the 12th century, he was a diplomat, a lover of the arts, and a great modernizer of the city. He is particularly credited with an unprecedented edict of tolerance and the foundational administrative framework for a free and prosperous city. By dedicating this park to him, the City pays tribute to a somewhat forgotten historical figure who helped shape the Montpellieran spirit.
A refuge from the heatwave
Beyond the beauty of the place, the Guilhem VIII park also meets a real need: creating urban coolness in an exposed environment. It plays a role in flood management, with its seven compensation basins capable of absorbing up to 150,000 m³ of water. A wonderful example of smart urban planning where ecology goes hand in hand with enjoyment!
