At the heart of the Occitanie region and close to Provence, Montpellier is one of the most attractive cities in the South of France. Elegant, with Mediterranean blood flowing through her veins and over 300 days of sunshine a year, she has it all. This city has a lot for you to discover, but you will be just as surprised by the treasures that are hidden in its surroundings.
Known for its incomparable quality of life, Montpellier will charm you in many ways and offer you all types of activities. In short, a great stay to be expected! We, therefore, summarize the 10 things to do and places to see absolutely in the Languedoc capital.
1. L’Écusson (historic center of Montpellier)
Montpellier is above all a place rich in a thousand-year-old past. The best way to explore your historical Center (l’Badge) is simply to stroll and get lost in the narrow alleys. Among those not to be missed there is the rue de l’Ancien Courrier, an arched street paved with white marble and lined with shops, and the rue des Trésoriers de la Bourse. Go back to the city’s medieval past: every corner is a treasure to be discovered, bearing witness to the most important moments in the history of Montpellier.
As you stroll, soak up its atmosphere, which is closer to the village than to the city, and let yourself be charmed by its beautiful little shaded squares, such as the Saint Roch square, and its imposing church dedicated to the patron of the city, the Place de la Canourgue, the most beautiful and oldest square in Montpellier and the Place Jean Jaurès, dominated by the homonymous statue, and favorite place of outing for young people from Montpellier.
2. Saint Peter’s Cathedral
The Saint Peter’s Cathedral is the only medieval church of the Escutcheon to have survived the wars of religion. Dating from the 14th century, it is the most important Gothic-style monument in all of Languedoc-Roussillon and in fact, the largest religious building in Montpellier.
Admire the facade and its porch supported by two cylindrical piers – the only medieval elements of the church – with impressive dimensions: 4.5 meters in diameter. While visiting the interior of the building, you will be able to see one of the major works of the painter Sébastien Bourdon and the great organ dating from 1778.
3. The Planet Ocean
What to do in Montpellier if you are traveling with children? With the merger of the aquarium sea and you Galileo Planetarium, the Planet Ocean is the ideal place to visit with the family for a day. Comprising more than 24 pools home to nearly 400 different animal species, Planet Ocean will offer children and adults a total change of scenery in each space.
Come face to face with sharks of various species, observe the colony of Cape penguins having a meal and face a storm on the open sea! You can even step into the shoes of an astronaut, experience an expedition on the surface of the sun, and view the earth from the dome of the ISS station! Ready for your underwater and space adventure in Montpellier?
4. The Garden of Plants
Fancy a nature stopover in the heart of the city? Created in 1593 by Pierre Richer, the Montpellier plant garden is the oldest botanical garden in France. Extending over nearly 5 hectares, this real green lung brings together more than 2680 species of plants. Discover the tropical greenhouses, the impressive bamboo grove but also a 200-year-old Silver Apricot tree (Ginkgo Biloba).
You will also be able to see the mysterious Narcissa's tomb dating from the 18th century and which was a source of inspiration for André Gide and Paul Valéry. Finally, don’t miss the Orangery and the Martins greenhouse, with its collection of succulents from all dry regions of the world. The garden is open every day except Monday and entry is free! It would be silly to miss it!
5. The Fabre Museum
Fancy a trip to the world of the arts over the centuries? the Fabre museum de Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole is an essential cultural institution in the region and one of the most important museums in Europe. In a space of nearly 10,000 m², it combines ancient and contemporary architecture and houses more than 800 works, 900 engravings, and 3,500 drawings.
Discover the exceptional collection of Dutch and Flemish paintings from the 17th century, admire the works of Courbet and Delacroix, and do not miss the floor dedicated to Pierre Soulages, one of the most famous contemporary French artists in the world.
6. Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
Take to your next destination: Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert. Take advantage of your holidays in Montpellier and your visit to the region to discover one of the most beautiful villages in France. Located in the heart of the Hérault gorges and known to be one of the stages on the paths of Saint-Jacques de Compostelle, it is a true paradise for lovers of authenticity and outdoor activities.
The must-see places to visit in this pretty medieval city areGellone Abbey and the Devil’s Bridge, of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Discover the abbey site, its prison tower, its cloister, and its Giant’s castle and enjoy the panorama of the environment. The more adventurous can cross the Devil’s Bridge which spans the river and in the Gorges de l’Hérault practice many activities such as hiking, caving, and canoeing.
7. Le Peyrou
Passing below the triumphal arch you will arrive on the Peyrou promenade. It is a raised park on two levels overlooking the city, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Peyrou means “stony” in Occitan and the promenade owes its name to its location at the top of the hill.
In reality, what is called Peyrou is the conjunction of three works: the Peyrou gate, with its bridge and access ramps, the promenade, with the Place Royale du Peyrou, and the saint-Clément aqueduct. In the center of the Place Royale, you will find an equestrian statue of Louis XIV and at its end the water tower and its reservoir supplied by the aqueduct. Here, the belvedere will offer you a breathtaking view both over the roofs of Montpellier and its surroundings, with the Cévennes and Pic Saint-Loup in the distance.
8. Place de la Comédie
An obligatory stopover during your visit to Montpellier, the Comedy Square is the nerve center and one of the symbols of the Hérault capital. Formerly called Place de boeuf for its oval shape, it is in the heart of the city intra-walls and it forms one of the largest pedestrian areas in Europe.
On the southwest side stands the opera Comedy and in the middle the Fountain of the Three Graces, emblematic goddesses of the city dating from 1976. Admire the buildings lining the square, magnificent examples of Haussmannian architecture in Montpellier, and in fine weather sit at one of the café and restaurant terraces and soak up the sun.
9. The Esplanade Charles De Gaulle
From the Place de la Comédie, take your walk to the end of theEsplanade Charles de Gaulle or l’Espla, so nicknamed by the people of Montpellier. It is the perfect place for a restful stopover on the edge of the Escutcheon, a tasty mix of nature and freshness, in the heart of the city. In the shade of the four rows of plane trees that border it, you can walk and eat in one of the many cafes, restaurants, taverns, or ice cream parlors on the sides.
By walking along the Esplanade at all its length you will reach the Corum. This is a building that houses a congress hall but also an opera house, the Berlioz opera house, famous for its acoustic qualities as well as for its National Orchestra. Then climb up to the panoramic rooftop for an impressive view of the city.
10. Contemporary architecture in Montpellier
From Place de la Comédie, head towards the Polygone shopping center and cross it to the end. On the other side, you will arrive in the Antigone district. No, you didn’t teleport to another city, you just changed architecture. This post-modern district which extends to the Lez river was built by the architect Ricardo Bofill.
Montpellier is home to several new districts which are veritable open-air museums. Contemporary art lovers will be able to admire architectural feats that are rarely seen elsewhere in France. Along the river, take the opportunity to see the skyline with the Hôtel de Région, the new Hôtel de Ville, or the Cloud at Port Marianne, a spectacle not to be missed.
How to go to Montpellier
To get to Montpellier, nothing could be simpler than taking the train, which will drop you off at Saint-Roch station, 200 meters from Place de la Comédie, in the heart of the city center. Montpellier is 3h30 by TGV or 1h10 by plane from Paris.
You can also opt for a trip by car depending on your point of departure: the city is served by the A9 / A709 and A75 motorways and it is about a 3h30 drive from Barcelona and 4 hours drive from Italy.
Montpellier Méditerranée International Airport has located 8 km from the city center and is served by several airlines providing direct flights between France and Montpellier such as Volotea, Air France, HOP! and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
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