Best things to do in Montpellier, France

It’s got the sunshine, the beach and a cool art museum. No wonder France’s youngest city (by age of the population – the city itself was founded sometime in the 900s) is growing fast as a hub for visitors in search of the Mediterranean lifestyle. Now this city firmly has its moment in the sun, this is our pick of the best things to do in Montpellier.

The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to France, your essential guide for visiting France.

Why you should visit Montpellier

With its contemporary art museum, high-season flights from Heathrow and Bristol and places to try local food, it’s a great place to visit. With all its youthful charm, Montpellier is a beautiful place to visit.

1. The art scene is booming

South of the Corum is the Musée Fabre, the city’s most trumpeted museum and one of the largest in the Languedoc. Its huge collection features seventeenth- to nineteenth-century European paintings. You'll find here works by Delacroix, Zurbaran, Raphael, Jan van Steen and Veronese, as well as ceramics and contemporary art.

2. You can step back in time

You will visit Rue du Bras-de-Fer, the steep passageway with brightly coloured steps that makes for the ultimate Instagram post. You can stock up on vintage postcards and prints on Rue de l’Ancien Courrier, the oldest pedestrian street in the city.

Contrast the Old Town with a stroll around the modernist architecture of the Port Marianne district, taking the tram over the Lez River. This sprawling new district is pushing the city limits eastwards towards the coast. It features some landmark buildings, such as The Cloud, designed by architect Philippe Starck, and the Arbre Blanc, a strikingly modern take on a Japanese-style pagoda with a chic rooftop bar.

3. It’s easy to reach the beach

Further afield, there are more beaches at the resorts of Palavas-les-Flots and La Grande Motte, although you need a car for these. You can try activities like scuba diving and stand-up paddleboarding and don’t worry if you fall in — the water is lovely. Afterwards, the beach bars crank up for sundowner cocktails and sunset DJ sets.

Ready to take your dream trip to France? See our guide to the best things to do in France. Or explore our guide to French Polynesia and find even more spectacular beach destinations.

4. Savour the flavours of the Med

A glass of local wine is the perfect aperitif, especially a fruity red or rosé from the Pic Saint-Loup vineyards outside Montpellier. Head for Place de la Canourgue, the most charming of all Old Town Squares, for a terrace seat at L’Atelier de la Canourgue and watch the world go by. If you prefer craft ales, brewpub Hopulus, located just off Place Jean Jaures, has a daily happy hour and a range of beers brewed on-site.

If you're on the lookout for a gourmet experience in France, try our tailor-made trip to Eastern France. Start your trip in Lyon with some unique food tours before setting off on a walk across the Beaujolais region. Almost every day ends with a wine tasting, soothing for body and soul.

5. Exploring the Herault area - one of the best things to do in Montpellier for history buffs

Visiting the Roman city of Nimes is one of the best things to do in Montpellier, especially for history buffs. The Museum of Roman Civilisation opened recently, tracing the development of Nimes from the Iron Age to the halcyon days of the Roman Empire. Other Roman buildings across the city include the amphitheatre and the extremely well-preserved Maison Carré, the former Roman forum.

Sète's charming waterfront © Picturereflex/Shutterstock

Getting there

• By plane: flights between the UK, Ireland and France are plentiful, though industry consolidation and higher departure taxes mean that the bargain-basement fares of the budget airlines’ heyday are much rarer than they were. Look out for special offers advertised on the airline websites or in the media. The main budget airlines are easyJet and Ryanair.
• By bus: Eurolines runs regular services from London Victoria to forty French cities (including Montpellier), with up to eleven a day to Paris, crossing the Channel by ferry or Eurotunnel.
• By car: The simplest way to take your car to France is on one of the drive-on drive-off shuttle trains operated by Eurotunnel. The service runs continuously between Folkestone and Coquelles, near Calais, with up to four departures per hour and takes 35 minutes.

Where to stay in Montpellier

• For central location: Hotel d'Aragon
• For couples: Mas de Lafeuillade
• For total relaxation: Domaine de Biar
• For price and quality: Couette et Café

Find more accommodation options to stay in Montpellier.

Montpellier beckons travelers with its enchanting ambiance and a wealth of captivating experiences. Ready for a trip to France? Check out The Rough Guide to France or The Rough Guide to Provence & the Cote d'Azur.

If you prefer to plan and book your trip to France without any effort and hassle, use the expertise of our local travel experts to make sure your trip will be just like you dream it to be.

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Top image: St. Peter's Cathedral in Montpellier, France © Picturereflex/Shutterstock