- Top Attractions
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Why Visit Montpellier
Montpellier's medieval core, the Écusson, reveals a city founded in 985, unusually lacking Roman roots. Its narrow streets hide private mansions and the 14th-century Jewish bath, or Mikveh. What is Montpellier famous for? Its historic, walkable center.
While visiting Montpellier, you're only 6 miles from Mediterranean beaches. Inland, hike the limestone peak of Pic Saint-Loup for sweeping views. The Lez River offers urban kayaking, and nearby étangs host vibrant pink flamingo populations in spring.
One of the best reasons to visit Montpellier is its cuisine. Taste the tielle sétoise, a spicy octopus pie from nearby Sète, at the vibrant Les Halles Castellane market. Pair it with a local Pic Saint-Loup AOC wine, a celebrated regional red.
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- MontpellierFrance
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Quick Travel Essentials
- Apr-Jun & Sep-Octmild, fewer crowds
- Jul-Aughot & busy
- Wintercool, occasional rain
- #ComfortableShoes
- #LightClothing
- #Sunscreen
- #PowerAdapterTypeC
- #RainJacket
- #ReusableWaterBottle
- 3-5 days for highlights
- 6-7 with beaches & day trips
- Euro (€)
- French
- Limited English in some areas
- #PlaceDeLaComédie
- #MontpellierZoo
- #Museu Fabre
- #StPierreCathedral
- #PromenadeDuSupply
- #EsplanadeCharlesdeGaulle
- Stroll through historic center
- Visit local markets
- Try a traditional dish
- Relax at Lez River
- Explore botanical gardens
Recommended Hotels in Montpellier by Experience
Things to do in Montpellier
Discover
Exploring Montpellier reveals a mix of historic sights and cultural hubs. See the elegant Place de la Comédie, admire masterpieces at the Musée Fabre, and catch sunset views from the Promenade du Peyrou arch and its aqueduct.
Experience
Enjoy wine tasting during the Les Estivales summer festival or find local produce at Les Halles Castellane. Walk the medieval streets of the Écusson district or cycle along the Lez River for a scenic ride through the city.
Place de la Comédie
Main city square with the Opéra Comédie and Three Graces.
Musée Fabre
Major art museum with European paintings and sculptures.
Promenade du Peyrou
Royal square with a triumphal arch and panoramic city views.
Jardin des Plantes de Montpellier
France's oldest botanical garden, founded in 1593.
Montpellier Cathedral
Gothic cathedral known for its unique conical porch towers.
Walk the Écusson District
Explore the medieval old town's narrow, winding streets.
Les Estivales de Montpellier
Summer evening festival with local wine, food, and music.
Before You Arrive
Getting There
To get to Montpellier, fly into Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport (MPL). The Montpellier shuttle bus connects the airport to city center (Place de l'Europe) in 15 min. Alternatively, take a high-speed TGV train to Montpellier Saint-Roch station.
Getting Around
Explore using the excellent public transport in Montpellier, with 4 tram lines covering the city. The historic Écusson district is best explored on foot. For convenience, purchase a 10-journey pass or a day ticket for buses and trams from TaM.
Local Essentials
Driving in Montpellier's historic center is restricted; use P+Tram park-and-ride lots. Validate all transport tickets onboard to avoid fines. While cards are common, carry cash for local markets. Watch for pickpockets around Place de la Comédie.
Where to Stay in Montpellier
Where to Eat and Drink
Celebrate
To explore authentic food Montpellier, taste regional specialties like tielle sétoise (octopus pie) and brandade de morue. Locals embrace a leisurely apéritif, enjoying a glass of Pic Saint-Loup wine before they eat dinner.
Enjoy
The best restaurants in Montpellier offer unique vibes. Eat at Le Petit Jardin for refined dining in a garden, book ahead. Grab a drink at Au Bureau, a bustling pub, order inside. Visit Le Cafe Riche for coffee, watch people.
Le Petit Jardin
Refined French food in a secret garden. Book well ahead.
La Reserve Rimbaud
Michelin-starred dining on the banks of the Lez river.
L'Entrecote
Serves only steak-frites. Arrive early to avoid queues.
Il Pizzaiolo
Excellent and authentic Neapolitan pizza. It gets crowded.
Events & Festivals
Celebrate
Explore Montpellier through its traditional celebrations, where local folklore and history come alive. Witness the festive Christmas market, Les Hivernales, and experience regional wine-making traditions at events like the Estivales.
Enjoy
Discover must-see modern Montpellier cultural activities. The city thrives with contemporary dance at Montpellier Danse, classical and jazz music during Festival Radio France, and indie rock concerts at the Palmarosa Festival.
Montpellier Danse
International contemporary dance festival.
Festival Radio France Occitanie
Summer festival of classical music and jazz.
Cinemed
International festival of Mediterranean cinema.
Comédie du Livre
An open-air book fair held in May on the Place de la Comédie.
Les Hivernales
Christmas market with local crafts and food.
Les Estivales
Summer evening market with local wine and food.
FISE
International festival of extreme urban sports.
A Truly Beautiful French City
Montpellier is a fantastic city for just walking and exploring. The old city center is mostly car-free, which is great, and it all seems to lead to the grand Place de la Comédie. It's got a classic southern France feel without being overwhelming.
Great for Art and History
I really enjoyed the historical side of the city. The architecture is stunning, and there are so many little squares to discover. The Musée Fabre was a major highlight for me, with an impressive collection of European art.
So much energy!
Montpellier has such a cool, young feel because of all the students. The tiny medieval streets in the Écusson district are full of small shops and places to eat. I even got to try some amazing grisettes, the local candy.
Great Base for the Coast
A lovely city that is also super close to the sea. The tram makes it really simple to get out to the coast for a few hours. We loved taking a long walk along the beach at Carnon.
Wonderful Place to Unwind
This is a perfect city for a relaxing break. I spent a lot of time just sitting at sidewalk cafes and watching the world go by. The food market, Les Halles Castellane, was fantastic for seeing local life and trying regional things like tielle sétoise.
Old Meets New Architecture
The contrast in this city is really interesting. You can spend the morning wandering the winding old streets and then walk over to the Antigone district with its bold, neoclassical buildings. It's quite a unique urban layout.