5 ideas of things to do this beautiful Weekend !
Here are a few ideas of things to do this weekend! Saturday 23rd of May 1 – New Here Walk of the City Center- Free – If you’re New Here in Montpellier this 2 hours long city center Walk is one of the best ways to know more about the city, the recent evolutions it has gone through and where it is heading in the future. Sign-up here 2- Spend the evening at the Musée Fabre – Free – Museums open their doors at nightfall as part of the 22nd edition of European Museum Night. It’s a chance to explore the current exhibitions in the department’s museums, as well as to take part in treasure hunts, humorous tours, mystery investigations, and even concerts amidst the collections. Full program at nuitdesmusees.culture.gouv.fr 3- Nature Festival in Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone – Free – Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone is celebrating the 20th edition of the Nature Festival over five days, featuring walks in search of frogs, otters, and birds, as well as bike rides, performances, children’s readings, and lectures on the region’s biodiversity… More information on : villeneuvelesmaguelone.fr Sunday 24th of May 4 – Picnic and Oysters in Sète – Free – Conch’Party: a potluck picnic on the shores of the Thau Lagoon, featuring complimentary oysters and workshops on oyster farming, in support of local producers. More information: archipel-thau.com 5- Visit one of the 13 Flea Markets happening all over the Montpellier Metropolitan region – Free – Check out our table for more information on these : https://airtable.com/appIHiiAJCvgtHGQh/shr7HYxauIEVJWLbE
Montpellier Has Its Own Currency. Here’s Why It Matters.
Walk through the historic center of any European city today and you’ll see the same pattern: shuttered storefronts, “À vendre” signs in the windows, independent shops being replaced by chains — or by nothing at all. Rising rents, online competition, energy costs, shifting consumer habits. Small businesses in Europe’s city centers are facing an existential squeeze, and Montpellier is no exception. But in Montpellier, and in other regions of France something interesting has been happening. In July 31 2014, a law on the social and solidarity economy (SSE) established a legal framework recognizing local complementary currencies (LCCs) as legal tender in France. Since than around 80 of these currencies have been officially recognized in France, and each have their specific geographic delimitation. What Is La Graine? La Graine is a citizen-run local currency, complementary to the euro. Created in 2018 after five years of grassroots work, it now circulates across Montpellier and the wider Hérault département. The rules are simple: But the real story isn’t the currency itself. It’s what stands behind it. Why a Local Currency Exists La Graine isn’t a quirky alternative to the euro. It’s a deliberate tool to reshape how money flows in the region. When you spend a euro at a chain store, most of that money leaves Montpellier within hours — heading to corporate headquarters, often abroad. When you spend a Graine, it stays. It circulates among local businesses, local producers, local employees. Studies on similar local currencies in France show that each unit can circulate several times before being exchanged back, multiplying its local economic impact. The currency is governed democratically. Decisions are made in general assemblies. The board rotates regularly. There are no shareholders — only members. And every business in the network signs a charter: commitment to local sourcing, ecological practices, fair labour conditions, and human-scale economics. In other words, the businesses that accept La Graine have already been vetted for the values they uphold. Their use means that the euros exchanged by members are held in a guarantee fund deposited with an ethical banking partner which prevents speculation. Another good reason to adopt La Graine, is that it has partnered with la NEF, a national ethical cooperative bank, that has pledged to double the total amount citizens invest in Graine yearly to support local businesses. Why It’s Especially Useful for Newcomers If you’ve just moved to Montpellier, La Graine solves a problem you may not even know you have yet: how to find businesses that match your values, without spending months trial-and-erroring. Here’s what La Graine gives you that Google Maps doesn’t: The Bigger Picture You don’t need to convert your whole salary into Graines. Even a small amount — 20 or 50 Graines a month — is enough to start exploring. Think of it less as a financial decision and more as a discovery pass for the real Montpellier. When we built New Here, we asked ourselves: what’s the fastest way for someone new to feel emotionally connected to their city? Tools like La Graine are part of the answer. They turn anonymous transactions into local relationships. La Graine can also be a great vehicle for newcomers who want to “give back” to their communities. Beyond spending your money with a currency that supports the local economy, you can also get involved in the association la Graine34 and help grow the number of people and local businesses who use la graine in Montpellier but also everywhere in the Hérault region. How to Get Started Become a member. An annual membership (a few euros) gives you full access to the network and supports the association’s running costs. Find your nearest exchange counter. There are 4 counters in Montpellier and several more across the Hérault (Castries, Le Crès, Mèze, Sète, and beyond). The full list is on lagraine34.org. Exchange your euros for Graines. 1-for-1. No fees. Download Appli’Graine34 Play Store / App Store More information on : 🌱 La Graine website: lagraine34.org