The charm of the Occitan coast by train, from Montpellier to Perpignan

Montpellier, an energetic town with a festive atmosphere, is a great place to go out and enjoy the vibes. Wander in the historic centre and cross Place de la Comédie to reach St. Peter’s Cathedral, then visit the Port Marianne district and enjoy the panoramic view from the Arbre Blanc rooftop terrace. 

At the end of the day, catch a train to Sète. There, you can have dinner at the Fleur de Sel restaurant where they serve the best fish dishes in the region. In the evening, book a room at the Grand Hôtel which has seaview rooms to die for!

At the foot of the Mont Saint-Clair, Sète has a picturesque fishing port and narrow streets that ooze with Mediterranean charm. There’s no nicer place to take a stroll. There are museums devoted to Paul Valéry and Georges Brassens, who both grew up here. If you’re thirsty for adventure, you can take to the sea in a boat that you can rent out at the port. 

In the evening, take the train for Agde and have dinner at L’Ardoise du marché. This bistro-style gourmet restaurant serves 100% homemade dishes. For a bed for the night, head for the hôtel du patriarche, which occupies an old Provençal farmhouse.

This is the favourite haunt of Agde’s party-going connoisseurs. But the seaside resort has much more to offer than just bars and restaurants. Sports enthusiasts will take the time to explore by paddleboard or sea kayak. Others will marvel at the Grau d’Agde fish market, or admire the depths on a trip around the Fort de Brescou island on a Cap Nemo aquavision catamaran. 

Then catch a train to Béziers to have dinner at Le Patio . You'll love the old olive tree that stands in the patio of this restaurant in the town centre, as well as the menu of Mediterranean dishes. Stay overnight at the Hôtel Particulier, which occupies a sumptuous manor house right in the heart of the town. 

Béziers is the wine capital of Languedoc. It’s a great place to visit on foot or by bike! Among the multiple excursions on offer here, we highly recommend avineyard hike. Try the ‘Canal du Midi and vineyards’ route, or follow the itinerary named ‘Les balcons d’Alignan’. 

At the end of the day, take the train to Narbonne to arrive just in time for dinner at La Table de Nicolas a restaurant serving delicious French cuisine. Then check into the charming Hôtel La Résidence, which oozes with authenticity. 

Officially a ‘city of art and history’, Narbonne is packed with ancient vestiges. The must-dos we can suggest are the Narbo Via museum on Ancient Rome, the Saint-Just-Et-Saint-Pasteur Cathedral and the Bishops’ Palace Museum. If you’re feeling adventurous, rent out a small boat and sail down the Robine canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Then catch an afternoon train to Salses. In the evening, go to the Loge restant Catalan for a hearty meal in typical Catalan style. Spend the night at the Ibis Budget hotel and make the most of its sunny terrace.  

Fancy spending a little more time in Salses? Good, because you really must visit the fortress. Emerging from the vines, this fine example of Spanish military architecture from the Middle Ages is truly unique. Allow a half-day to see it before heading back to the station for your next train, to Perpignan. 

There, the restaurant O grain de sel serves delicious meals prepared from fresh, seasonal products. A real delight. You’ll also find a selection of gourmet platters and local specialities. At the end of the day, head for the Hôtel Dali where you'll appreciate the hanging garden and the panoramic terrace. The ideal star-gazing spot before bedtime. 

As far as Salvador Dali was concerned, Perpignan was the ‘centre of the universe’. Stroll through the city’s orange-tinted streets and check out the Contemporary Art Centre near the station. Then visit the Palace of the Kings of Majorca before cycling along the greenway to visit Thuir and other Catalan villages. At the end of the day, take the train back to Montpellier, or stay overnight and leave the next morning! End of the line, everyone off!

Further reading: 

• Visit l’Occitanie 
• What to do in Montpellier ?