Culture for kids: it’s not just for the grown-ups

How do you get young people interested in the arts? Grab their attention early. Make it easy and interesting for them to visit galleries, theatres and even opera houses from a young age, and the world of art and culture won’t seem so daunting. In Montpellier there’s plenty of opportunity for children and teenagers to get in on the act and enjoy cultural experiences put on especially for them. Here’s a rundown of what’s on offer.

Classical music and opera

L’Opéra Orchestre national Montpellier

 

Montpellier’s national orchestra offers a programme of educational concerts for children and their families at the town’s two opera houses. The concerts are aimed at a variety of age groups from 4 years and up and tickets are just €1,50 for kids and €3 for their parents.

Check out the website to see the programme. The age-range is given by school year, so here’s a guide:MS (Moyenne section) 4-5 years; GS (Grande section) 5-6 years; CP (Preparatory class) 6-7 years; CE1 (Elementary class 1) 7-8 years; CE2 (Elementary class 2) 8-9 years; CM1 (Middle class 1) 9-10 years; CM2 (Middle class 2) 10-11 years; Collège 11-15 years; Lycée 15-18 years

Theatre

Most of Montpellier’s theatres have a programme of plays for children and young people. Here’s some that offer regular performances.

La Théâtre de la Plume

This venue situated in the lively Figuerolles district off Cours Gambetta is a theatre for children. As well as plays they offer a mixed bag of magic shows, operettas, poetry, storytelling and classical music.

Théâtre de la Plume, 6 Rue Guillaume Pellicier

Théâtre Pierre Tabard

You’ll find this one in the bohemian Beaux Arts quarter. The theatre offers both adult plays and a range of shows for children of all ages.

Théâtre Pierre Tabard, 17 Rue Ferdinand Fabre

 

La Vista Théâtre de la Méditerranée

Another theatre located in Figuerolles with a lively selection of plays for both adults and children.

La Vista Théâtre de la Méditerranée, 42 Rue Adam de Craponne

 

Domaine d’O

This attractive park-cum-arts centre on the outskirts of the city has a whole festival dedicated to kids every year. Over two weekends in April and May the Saperlipopette festival stages theatre productions especially for young people, as well as art workshops and other activities.

Enter Domaine d’O at the north entrance near Malbosc tram stop on line 1.

Art

Musée Fabre

 

Musée Fabre

Around 25 years ago an association was formed to encourage and help people to engage with Montpellier’s Musée Fabre. They’ve devised three booklets for children to make their museum visit more fun and hold various events for kids and their families. You can find the association Les Amis de Musée Fabre in the gallery’s entrance hall on the first Sunday of the month, or at their offices nearby on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Alternatively, ask at the museum’s front desk where you’ll find more information about family visits and about the regular Wednesday art workshops they run for children.

Les Amis de Musée Fabre, 2 bis, rue Montpellieret. Musée Fabre, 39 Boulevard Bonne nouvelle

Cinema

L’ecran des enfants, Cinéma Nestor Burma

 

This independent cinema in Montpellier’s Celleneuve district, just outside the city centre has a dedicated programme of films for children. Every week there’s a different film, and sometimes there’s a little art workshop or activity to complement the movie.

Cinéma Nestor Burma, 2 Rue Marcelin-Albert