If you are looking for one of the best bars to go to during your French language course in Montpellier you have got to try out Barberousse. My French host family who were assigned to me by the wonderful staff at the ILA French Immersion School in Montpellier have been amazing. To begin with they have been so welcoming and have been helping me develop my French language skills outside of the immersion school, they have really highlighted for me why a home-stay in France is the best way to learn French. As well as that they also offer a great insight into the south of France and in particular the city of Montpellier.
It was the son of my host family who said this was one of the best bars in Montpellier. He is a very interesting guy and someone I’ve enjoyed practicing my French language skills with. So I thought he wasn’t likely to be fond of any old bar and sure enough this was true.
French Students and I Head for the Centre of Montpellier
First factor that makes this one of the best bars in the city is its location. Our French Immersion School is located only a streets length away from ‘Place de la Comedie’ the centre most point of the city so this is where we decided to meet. We quickly realised that Barberousse is only on the other side of this square so it was super easy to find. This was even better at the end of the night; most of us are living with French host families and needed to catch a tram home and the stops to everywhere are right there at ‘Place de la Comedie’. For those of us that were staying in student residences in Montpellier because many of the residences are so central most of us could just quickly walk home in the fresh night air of France.
As we approached the bar I saw there were so many interesting takeaway restaurants around the place and I realised it was likely that after a few beers I wouldn’t make it far before being drawn into one of them.
Atmosphere and Clientele at Barberousse
When our little group of French students made it into the bar we were struck by the warm friendly atmosphere and although this has been common wherever we’ve been in Montpellier it was even more noticeable. We were instantly greeted with a smile and a welcome and handed a drinks card, the bar tender was very receptive when we tried speaking French with her and seemed happy to indulge us.
The bar has a historic, nautical theme and has wooden barrels for tables, lots of wooden beams, ropes and sea fairing memorabilia on the walls. We then found out the translation of Barberousse is ‘red beard’. Also a captains wheel stands at the moodily lit bar which housed the large selection of draught beers.
There is a huge choice of beers; lots of different types of tasty, good quality stuff as well as a good selection of wines, spirits and cocktails so each member of my French class had something to suit them.
The bar had a nice mix of what appeared to be students and slightly older professionals. We even saw some people on our French Immersion Course and got talking to some students enrolled at other French language schools in the city. It appears that Montpellier has a reputation for housing some of the best French language schools in France so this competition guarantees a high standard of teaching, facilities and resources.
Where Can Some French Students Go Now in Montpellier?
As it got a bit later it got slightly busier but still felt relaxed and spacious and not like a Tokyo tube station like some bars often do. As is often the case we moved onto some slightly stronger drinks and had a good old dance. There was a spacious smoking area at the back as well so if you were inclined to step out you could take your drink along with you.
Eventually the bar started to close down, after that some students went for food, some to other bars but most of us were well behaved and headed off on the tram back to their residences or French host families in Montpellier. After when you’re doing a French immersion course at ILA you need to be sharp for the day ahead if you want to get the most out of this wonderful experience but the other French students and I agreed we had discovered a great place in central Montpellier.