Why Montpellier Is Worth Visiting on Your France Trip

We nearly lived in Montpellier, France.

Seriously.

When we were deciding where to live in France, Montpellier kept floating to the top of the list for its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, warm weather, and lively reputation. 

Now that we’ve spent a few days there, we know we made the right choice. That’s no knock against the city. It just didn’t speak to us as we expected it to, and that’s OK. 

I still think Montpellier is very much worth visiting, especially if you’re looking for something a bit more relaxed than biggies like Paris.

Is Montpellier worth visiting?

Montpellier is worth visiting, even if you’re only here for the day. The southern French city is a little medieval, a little modern, and very lively.

While I found it a little young, too, there’s something about that Mediterranean vibe that’s very welcoming, especially in sunny weather.

READ MORE: If you’re looking for a quickie Montpellier itinerary, I have one for you!

It’s pretty easy to get to Montpellier.

You probably won’t fly here directly unless you’re already in France, but that doesn’t make visits to Montpellier inconvenient. The city is well-connected by high-speed TGV trains, with direct routes from French cities like Paris, Lyon, and Marseille.

You can even catch a train from Barcelona to Montpellier Saint-Roch in about three hours if the locals in Spain have had enough of you.

If you’re driving, major highways make road access straightforward, but it’s not necessary if that freaks you out.

Montpellier is easy to get around.

Montpellier is very walkable if you stick to the city center, but it also has an efficient tram system that connects you to the city’s major neighborhoods.

We rode the tram to the chateau I’ll get into in a bit, and it was easy and affordable. You can buy a ticket for up to 24 hours, so ride that thing to your heart’s content.

Montpellier also has an extensive network of buses and bike-sharing to help you get around. If you’re here for a short amount of time, you may not even need all that. As I already said, the city is very pedestrian-friendly.

You’ll want brunch here.

We ate quite well in Montpellier, starting with brunch.

Now, I’m not even that big on breakfast, but something happens to me when I’m on a trip where brunch starts to sound like a very good idea.

We really liked the Olya Café for its fancy toasts with beet spreads and chicken and waffles (Brian couldn’t resist), but the town is spoiled for choice for morning treats. Pain Brut, Maison L’Oeuf, and La Sucree offer a more classic French café experience.

Montpellier has excellent public art.

We loved the three-dimensional art on buildings where you couldn’t tell where the art ended and where the world began. The city has a passion for trompe-l’oeil, or an art technique meant to deceive the eye.

What is meant to depict realism is actually a fresco, for example, or vice versa. Find examples of this at Place Saint-Roch and Place Edouard Adam.

If you love your street art with a side of glamour, take some Instagram photos on the rainbow stairs at Rue Arc en Ciel, or Rue du Bras de Fer.

Note: This one wasn’t too crowded when we visited, but be mindful of others who want the same shots as you.

You can tour a folie at Château de Flaugergues.

Château de Flaugergues was built in 1696 as a “folie,” or summer residence for royals at that time. You can tour the elegant interiors today, but the real goods are outside, away from the tapestries.

The gardens are classically French and formal, and the estate’s property includes an on-site vineyard that makes the trip out here very much worth it.

I say that because this one isn’t in central Montpellier. You’ll either need to hoof it as we did or navigate the city’s public transportation, which we also did when we exhausted ourselves walking there.

There are decent museums if you need an indoor escape.

Montpellier’s public art scene is supplemented by a diverse mix of cultural sites and museums for when the weather’s rainy or it’s too blazing hot out there.

The Musée Fabre is one of France’s top fine arts museums, housing works from Eugène Delacroix and Gustave Courbet in an 18th-century building. Nearby, the MoCo (Montpellier Contemporain) is your hub for contemporary art across multiple venues.

The Pavillon Populaire, dedicated to photography, has three levels of free exhibitions from both well-known and emerging photographers.

For history buffs, the Anatomy Museum at the Faculty of Medicine offers a fascinating, if macabre, peek into medical history.

Note: The conservatory mentioned above was closed for renovation during our visit. Contact the tourism office for guided tours and to make sure it’s open when you’re there.

Montpellier has historical intrigue.

Much like the rest of France, Montpellier is steeped in history. You’ll feel it as you navigate the mazes of the Écusson district, the city’s Old Town, and its hidden courtyards.

The Faculty of Medicine, founded in 1220, is the oldest still-operating medical school in the world. Nearby, the Saint-Pierre Cathedral, or Montpellier Cathedral, and the Mikvé, a 13th-century Jewish ritual bath, offer glimpses into the city’s religious past.

Roman influence is evident in nearby ruins, but the city’s modern creep is obvious, too. Through it all, whether it was wars, revolutions, or modernization, Montpellier has preserved its identity as a place that honors its past while bracing for the future.

I say “bracing” over “embracing” for a reason. We’re all doing our best.

There are beautiful green spaces.

Montpellier offers beautiful green spaces that provide peaceful escapes away from the city’s energy.

I’m not saying I don’t like the vibes here. It just feels a lot younger in Montpellier, and sometimes a woman of a certain age needs to relax.

The free Jardin des Plantes, founded in 1593, is France’s oldest botanical garden. The Promenade du Peyrou offers tree-lined walks and fountains you can run through beside an 18th-century aqueduct.

Parc Méric, a scenic riverside park, is popular with joggers and families, while Parc Montcalm is your best option for more active pursuits. (There’s a track and tennis courts here if you brought your equipment.)

The city’s gathering places are lively.

Outside of the city’s fantastic green spaces, Montpellier comes alive in its public squares.

The Place de la Comédie is the epicenter of it all. Sip on coffee or cocktails while looking out at 18th-century architecture and avoiding direct eye contact with any street performers.

Place de la Canourgue is a little quieter and more local, while Place du Peyrou is popular with families and fans of an outdoor picnic. If it’s a nice day out, you’ll see locals gathering in all of the city’s outdoor spaces, often with wine in hand.

The city’s wine bars are excellent.

Apart from Normandy, most of France has easy access to wine grown locally and grown well. Montpellier’s wine bars are the best spots to learn about the wine scene here.

We enjoyed Chez Pinot, but happened upon that one by accident. We had wanted to visit Maison Fleurie across the street, but it was slammed with people. It was a happy little accident that resulted in affordable wine and excellent people-watching.

Le Vinarium and glouglou are two more highly-rated options, but we didn’t try those.

You can go on a wine tour, too.

Montpellier is ideally located for trips to the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region. We found our visit here much more approachable than wine regions like Napa or even Burgundy in France, with wine that is just as nice.

The wineries are no less historic, but they’re generally smaller productions with a more casual vibe. It makes sense. Things feel different down here.

Some of the tours come with stops at the region’s oyster farms, too. Brian had some regrets that we didn’t do one of these, so I’ll include it in your options for guided tours below.

Browse these highly-rated tours to plan your trip:

Montpellier has an arc!

It’s tough to compete with Paris, but Montpellier has its own Arc de Triomphe, known as the Porte du Peyrou. This one stands proudly at the entrance of the Promenade du Peyrou to honor King Louis XIV.

This thing is adorned with intricate carvings celebrating the Sun King’s victories, but you likely won’t be able to make that out with the sun in your eyes.

It’s quite sunny in this city.

Montpellier has a Mediterranean climate.

Montpellier’s Mediterranean climate makes it a sunny and pleasant destination year-round. Summers are hot and dry, perfect for beach trips and outdoor dining. Winters are mild, and snow is extremely rare.

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable and ideal for exploring the city on foot. October and November are the rainiest, but things just never get too gray around here.

Fun fact: Montpellier has over 300 days of sunshine annually. Don’t tell Brian, because you’ll recall we chose not to move down there.

The al fresco scene is on point.

The French love outdoor dining, but in much of the country, the weather doesn’t allow for it year-round. That’s not the case in Montpellier. It’s rarer that you won’t see tables set up outside of restaurants there.

Le Bistrok Montpellier was our pick for al fresco dining and wining, but seriously, you have so many options here. When you’re feeling hungry or thirsty, find a spot that has seating and pop a squat.

We didn’t find one that I wouldn’t recommend, and the next one may be too busy if you’re visiting on a particularly nice day.

Fun fact: Most of the days here are really, really nice.

It’s not ON the beach, but it’s pretty close.

Montpellier isn’t directly on the beach, but it’s just a short trip away. That feels like the best of both worlds when you’re someone like me who doesn’t love sand in her everywheres.

In about 20 minutes, you can enjoy the sandy shores and lively boardwalks of Palavas-les-Flots, Carnon, or La Grande-Motte.

Carnon Plage was our pick. We just ordered a rideshare as it was quite economical to split the ride between four of us. The waves were pretty wild, but being in the sea was rejuvenating after spending a day in the hot sun.

There are all kinds of cute spots to hang out at along the harbor side, too, and you can check out the boats with a wine in hand if you’d like.

The small plates scene is delicious.

You don’t need to eat French food for every meal and on every day of your trip to France. Our last meal was at Restaurant le Montis, a cute eatery within proximity of our apartment that night.

We noshed on tapas and cheese plates and sipped sangria, and it was the perfect light meal to pair with the heat of the day.

Madrediosa is another one we liked with outdoor seating, a good wine list, and options for vegans.

The sunsets are impressive.

Montpellier’s sunsets are seriously vibrant. The Promenade du Peyrou was our favorite spot, but it’s no secret. Locals and tourists alike love the city’s highest point, especially at sunset, for panoramic views of Montpellier.

Seeing the local Arc de Triomphe and the Saint-Clément Aqueduct bathed in those golden hues doesn’t suck, either.

For a different perspective, the rooftop bar at L’Arbre Blanc looks like a good time as the sun dips below the horizon, but we didn’t make it over there.

Montpellier is safe.

I see this one asked a lot, as Montpellier does make the list of cities with higher crime rates across France. The thing is, it’s all relative. If you’re from the United States, you’d be shocked by some of the cities on the list, like Lille and Toulouse.

READ MORE: Marseille is always near the top of those lists, too. Check out what I thought about the city after our trip there!

Montpellier is generally safe, but it gets a bad rap for petty theft, especially in areas with more foot traffic. This is true of anywhere you’ll go around the world, and it’s certainly not unique to Montpellier.

Practice the same street smarts as you would anywhere. Keep track of your valuables, especially when you’re feeling extra relaxed after some wine.

It’s a great base for day trips.

I’ve already mentioned the beaches and wine, but you have even more options if you want to spend more time outside of Montpellier. The city is pretty affordable compared to other big cities across France, too, so it’s a nice base for exploring.

Here are a few more options:

• Nîmes: This Roman city is known for its well-preserved amphitheater, the Arènes de Nîmes. Get there in just 30-45 minutes by public transit.
• Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert: This UNESCO-listed medieval village is home to the Gellone Abbey and excellent hiking. You’ll need a car, but it’s just 40 minutes away.
• Pont du Gard: I’m bummed we missed this one, but we’ll be back. Visit this ancient Roman aqueduct near Uzès in about an hour’s drive from Montpellier.
• Avignon: I’d argue for a little more than a day for this one, but it’s possible to see Avignon in a day with a car. The train will take you at least two hours.
• Carcassonne: See a real-life medieval fairytale on a trip to fortified Cité de Carcassonne in about an hour and 35 minutes’ drive.

Where to Stay in Montpellier

The apartment we stayed in on our trip to Montpellier is no longer available online, but there are lots of options in Montpellier.

Use the map below to get an idea of available hotels and boutique stays:

Visit Montpellier for a chill escape in southern France.

Don’t let my snobbery at the start of this post turn you off from visiting Montpellier. This is the ultimate chill escape in southern France, where history, sunshine, and easygoing vibes meet.

We’ve been to plenty of places that we’ve really liked that we wouldn’t necessarily move to. That’s not an indicator of whether they’re worth your time.

Wander through medieval streets, lounge at wine bars, or plan a trip to the beach if it’s feeling a little sweaty out there with a trip to Montpellier.

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