Set a course for the south! Close to the Occitan coast, Montpellier thrives on the rhythm of the Mediterranean and the gentle pace of life. Stroll through its medieval streets and soak up the hustle and bustle of Place de la Comédie. A stone's throw away, the atypical Moco museum fuses contemporary art with urban dynamism. But the soul of Montpellier is also its vineyards, where the sun caresses the vines and gives birth to divine wines. Head to the surrounding countryside for exhilarating vineyard escapades. Breathe in the sea air on the nearby beaches or explore the Hérault gorges for a touch of wilderness...
Must-sees for your stay in Montpellier
Boasting a superb historical heritage, the capital of the Hérault region is nevertheless firmly rooted in its era, with numerous avant-garde architectural crazes having sprung up in recent decades. To visit Montpellier is to discover the incredible creativity of this attractive city, while remaining on a human scale.
Montpellier districts to visit
The Écusson, its historic center
Strolling through the streets of the Écusson offers visitors a voyage into the past. In this pedestrian zone, fall head over heels for :
- its medieval center and remarkable streets, such as rue des Trésoriers de la Bourse or rue de l'Ancien Courrier, with its chic white marble cobblestones
- private mansions
- pretty squares (Place de la Canourgue or Place Saint-Roch)
- the sumptuous facades of Haussmann-style buildings
- or its many monuments and sites of interest.
But you can also make the most of its dynamism by shopping, stopping off at a café or partying at nightfall among the students who crowd the area.
Place de la Comédie
The heart of Montpellier, Place de la Comédie features the Fontaine des Trois Grâces at its center and the Opéra Comédie, the theater that gives it its name, to the southwest. Home to numerous terraces, this vast square is the ideal place to explore the old town or head for the Charles de Gaulle plaza. Markets and festivals are regularly held here. This vast space also leads to the Corum (site of an opera and conference hall), whose roof offers a magnificent panorama.
The Antigone district
Walk a few minutes eastwards from Place de la Comédie and you'll reach the Antigone district. Here, you'll discover a district of strikingly avant-garde architecture, designed by architect Ricardo Bofill in the early 1980s.
Since then, Montpellier has continued to celebrate bold architecture, letting internationally renowned architects sign one or more projects. These include Jean Nouvel, Philippe Stark, Zaha Hadid and many others, who designed the famous Folies de Montpellier.
Monuments and museums
Montpellier Cathedral
Listed as a historic monument, Saint-Pierre Cathedral is one of the city's oldest and most spectacular buildings. Its two imposing towers supporting an immense vault give this monument a remarkable entrance.
The Arc de Triomphe
Built in the 17th century in honor of Louis XIV, this edifice marks the entrance to Montpellier's old town, which can be reached via the chic Rue Foch and its Haussmann-style buildings. Close to the Arc de Triomphe stands the Palais de Justice, and in the opposite direction of Montpellier's historic center is the Promenade du Peyrou.
The Peyrou Gate and Promenade
If you cross the Arc de Triomphe away from the center of Montpellier, you'll discover the terraced park-promenade of Peyrou, offering a splendid panorama of the Cévennes, the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean. Highlights include a central equestrian statue of the Sun King, and to the west, an imposing water tower fed by the 18th-century Saint-Clément aqueduct.
The Jardin des Plantes
France's oldest botanical garden, dating back to the 16th century, this site is home to some truly rare species, some hundreds of years old, as well as a bamboo forest and a lotus pond. Also worth exploring: its tropical greenhouses.
The MO.CO
Located between the train station and Place de la Comédie, this former 19th-century townhouse has undergone a radical architectural transformation. It now houses two exhibition centers dedicated to contemporary art and emerging creators, as well as Montpellier's École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. Also worth a visit is the world map-shaped atlas garden, home to plant species from all over the world.
The Musée Fabre
Overlooking the Esplanade Charles de Gaulle, the Musée Fabre is an art lover's haven, thanks to its incredible collection of French paintings, making it one of the most imposing painting museums outside Paris.
Two atypical museums
Dedicated to science, the Musée d'Anatomie conserves and exhibits various organs and specimens, with the stated aim of aiding the study of anatomy. As for the Musée Atger, while it contains a rare collection of drawings from various schools and works by great names (Tiepolo, Rubens, Fragonard...), these can be admired in Montpellier's oldest museum, formerly a Benedictine monastery, then a historic building for the Faculty of Medicine.
Sea, nature and mountains
Montpellier's beaches
Montpellier's city center is less than 30 minutes from the Mediterranean Sea, although not exactly on the seafront. Among the best-known: Palavas-les-Flots and La Grande-Motte are the most popular. For greater peace and quiet and more natural scenery, choose the Grand Travers, Petit Travers or Espiguette beaches.
The Hérault Gorges
Just 30 minutes from Montpellier, the Hérault gorges offer a wild and well-preserved natural environment. An ideal spot to enjoy sublime hikes and various outdoor activities such as canoeing and climbing.
Pic Saint-Loup
Leaning against the Cevennes foothills north of Montpellier, the Pic Saint-Loup mountain rises to an altitude of 658 meters. Offering lovely views over the garrigue, it is a popular hiking spot. But it's also famous for having “bequeathed” its name to one of Languedoc-Roussillon's most renowned vineyards.
Unforgettable experiences in Montpellier
To get to know the Montpellier way of life even better, there's nothing like trying out some of the activities typical of its inhabitants. Find out more about the things to do when you visit Montpellier.
Explore Halles Laissac and the Lez market
For your first shopping experience, head to the Halles Laissac near the Babote tower for a gourmet stroll between stalls of local and more exotic specialties in the heart of a 21st-century Halles Baltard-style monument. A pleasant place to live, where Montpellier's inhabitants enjoy doing their shopping and letting themselves go. The terraces make for a convivial atmosphere, while the mole, with its catering facilities, lets you cook the meat you buy at one of the stalls and enjoy it on the spot.
A complementary option: explore the Lez market on the banks of the river carrying the same name. A sort of alternative shopping mall, this venue combines stalls and boutiques selling local produce and second-hand goods, foodtrucks and the organization of events (flea markets, exhibitions, concerts, shows...). One of Montpellier's most creative and trendy venues.
Visit Montpellier from the coast
Exploring the Occitan coastline, admiring its landscapes and unique biodiversity, is one of the pleasures to be experienced during a stay in Montpellier. You can embark at the ports of Palavas-les-Flots, Pérols or La Grande-Motte and enjoy a few hours on the water, with or without a skipper. It's also an opportunity to discover the region's lakes, such as the Etang de Thau near Sète or the Etang du Grand Bagnas near Agde, or the Camargue National Park.
Experience a Camargue race
Practiced in much of south-western France, this typical sport has nothing in common with bullfighting, apart from the presence of a bull. Here, the challenge is to retrieve the ribbons and rosettes hanging from the bull's head without being touched by the animal. To attend one of the many Camargue races organized in Montpellier's neighboring villages, visit Montpellier and the surrounding area from April to October.
Discover the vineyards of Languedoc-Roussillon
As the world's leading wine-producing region, Occitanie has no shortage of vineyards to explore and wines to taste (in moderation, of course). Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
- head for the Pic Saint-Loup region, home to famous vineyards such as Château de Flaugergues and Domaine de La Croix Belle.
- explore the beautiful estates around Montpellier to discover other appellations, includingAOC Terrasses du Larzac. To be enjoyed at Château Capion or La Terre des 2 sources.
Both offer the chance to visit the cellars and discover the aromas of these sun-drenched wines during a tasting session.
Montpellier's culinary specialities
Montpellier's gastronomy is inspired by two sources of influence: those of Occitania and the Mediterranean. As a result, you'll find specialties that oscillate between land and sea. Among the must-try dishes to be found on Montpellier tables and restaurant menus:
- Cassoulet, which each chef prepares in his or her own way. It's made with a choice of beef, pork, lamb or poultry, but (almost) always includes sausages, lard and white beans.
- La tielle sétoise: a pie filled with a spicy stuffing made from octopus, squid and tomatoes, cooked in white wine and seasoned with thyme and olives.
- Cagarolettes : snails in a spicy vinaigrette, often served as an aperitif with a glass of pastis, but also as an appetizer or light meal.
- Mussel brasucade: brazier-grilled mussels served with wine broth, tomatoes and a spicy sauce.
- Cuttlefish rouille: a dish featuring pieces of cuttlefish seasoned with tomato sauce, garlic, onions, white wine and spices, this is one of the region's typical dishes.
- Chichoumeille : a kind of ratatouille without zucchini, this is one of Languedoc's most popular side dishes.
For those with a sweet tooth, try :
- Les Escalettes de Montpellier: a light baked waffle, attractive and fragrant.
- Les Zézettes de Sète: elongated cookie, lightly flavored with local rosé wine, the zézette is also embellished with crystal sugar.
