The paint
Little by little, painters in the Hérault region expressed their eras. During the classical period, in the 17thand 18th centuries, few painters left their mark. A few local painters, such as the Montpellier-born Bourdon (1616-1671), achieved a certain notoriety. They tended to make their careers in Paris or abroad, like Jean Ranc (1674-1735), who became official court painter to King Philip V of Spain.
It wasn't until the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th that the Hérault made a name for itself in terms of painting. Montpellier soon became a favorite destination for artists. Their talent was encouraged by the presence of two patron collectors, François-Xavier Fabre (1766-1837) and Alfred Bruyas (1821-1877). The former, a pupil of David, painter and teacher, donated his personal collection to the town in 1828 - a legacy that gave rise to one of the country's richest regional museums, the Musée Fabre. Later, in 1854 and 1857, at the invitation of Alfred Bruyas, Gustave Courbet stayed in Montpellier.
Montpellier natives included Frédéric Bazille (1841-1870), the local representative of the Impressionist movement. Passionate about nature, he returned to his roots on the family estate of Méric in the hills above the city, before leaving for Paris, where he became a friend of Renoir, Manet and Monet.
The end of the 20th century saw the emergence of what has been called the "Sète School". Without creating a real movement or a renowned school, the town's case is quite interesting, and Paul Valéry's description of it as "a singular island" also takes on its full meaning in the artistic sphere. Albert Marquet, François Desnoyer, Soulages, or the current proponents of "free figuration", Combas or the Di Rosa brothers, all share a love of this town and the creative atmosphere that emanates from it. Sète is a must for all art lovers and enthusiasts, especially those with a passion for painting.
Street art
In the département, art is expressed in many forms, and one of the most recent is street art. Exhibited in contemporary galleries or displayed in their "wildest" form on city walls, these works are increasingly integrated into the art world, recognized as an art form in their own right and no longer just an act of vandalism. Some of the region's cities even choose to celebrate these street artists with cultural events. The most important of these is the K-Live festival in Sète. Launched in 2008, this multi-disciplinary event focuses on contemporary music and urban art, inviting key artists from the street-art movement to express themselves in the streets. Among them are C215, Alëxone, l'Atlas, Poch, M.Chat, Epsylon Point, Jan Kalab, Clet, Bault, Stew, Chanoir, Jonnystyle... Their works, based on the city's walls, make up the MACO (or "Open Sky Museum"), which is enriched by new creations every year. Wander around the heart of the Île Singulière and discover this astonishing city-gallery.
A few kilometers away, Montpellier is also a hotbed for street artists. In the city's neighborhoods, all styles are represented, from trompe-l'œil to graffiti and collage. A stroll along the banks of the Verdanson, a small stream that runs through the city, reveals hundreds of works of varying sizes. Several generations of artists have made their mark on this space. Far from wishing to do away with these works, the city encourages them to be brought to light through themed guided tours and commissions (Mist at Rondelet, fresco at Polygone...).
In Béziers, street artists are given the task of telling the city's story: a circuit of 16 colorful frescoes, depicting the city's history, allows visitors to discover elements of its past. Among them, the beautiful "Compostelle" fresco reminds us that the commune lies on the foothill path leading to Spain, providing an alternative to the mountains. Another pays tribute to the infantrymen who refused to fire on the demonstrators in Béziers during the winegrowers' revolts in the 20th century. On a lighter note, there's also a fresco in honor of ASBH, the Béziers rugby club.
Every year, local communities open their doors to these modern artists, bringing color and life back to their facades. Be on the lookout for a few surprises along the way..
The seventh art
With its grandiose natural scenery, rich historical heritage and exceptional light, the region has long been used as a film location, and the list of films is long and growing. Some of the films shot wholly or in part in the region have left their mark on the history of cinema. How could we forget, for example, the vibrant tribute paid to Montpellier in François Truffaut's cult film L'Homme qui aimait les femmes (1976), or Agnès Varda's Sans toit ni loi (1985). More recently, Béziers and the Etang de Thau were the setting for Mélanie Laurent's film Respire (2013). Montpellier, Palavas-les-Flots and Nîmes attracted the cameras of Nicole Garcia for her film Un long dimanche (2014). Photogenic to perfection, the region has also been the setting for numerous TV movies and series, such as Un si grand soleil and Demain nous appartient. Throughout the year, their cameras try to capture all the magic of the département, taking advantage of the diversity of its territories. It's not unusual to come across them on a stroll, particularly along the beaches and in Sète.
Finally, the region is home to several major film festivals. These include Cinémed in Montpellier, Les Hérault du cinéma et de la télé in Cap d'Agde, and the Sunsète festival in Sète. The mild weather and warm summer evenings are also ideal for open-air cinema screenings across the region.
Hérault as "European Hollywood
For several years now, two large-scale projects dedicated to the seventh art have been maturing in the Hérault region.
Near Béziers, on the Domaine de Bayssan, a huge site dedicated to the cinema - both an amusement park and a state-of-the-art studio - will open its doors. The aim is to welcome film crews from all over the world. Outdoor sets, workshops, offices and technical services, roads and parking, accommodation and catering facilities... A very large area will also be open to the public.
Near Montpellier, in the commune of Saint-Gély-du-Fesc, another ambitious complex is in the process of maturing. Called Pics Studio, it would include a huge space for shooting studios, set workshops, post-production studios, a film school..
