How to Spend One Day in Montpellier, France

We were able to spend a few days in Montpellier, France. While we didn’t get to everything on our list, even with more than a day, I don’t think you need to spend weeks at this one to give yourself a taste of the South of France.

That’s especially true if you’re on a road trip in the region. There is so much to see in southern France, and a day in Montpellier may be all the time you have to devote to this dot on the map.

I’m here for you. Hit the ground running in as chill a way as possible with this guide to one day in Montpellier.

One day is enough to see the highlights of Montpellier.

You need at least a full day to check out Montpellier attractions on your trip to France, but a full weekend will give you time to tackle your visit in a more relaxed way. Plan a summer trip and you’ll likely want time at the beach, too, on your Montpellier itinerary. 

You’ll certainly leave a few things on the table with just one day in Montpellier, but I’m never one to tell travelers not to see a place if they only have limited time.

How to Spend a Day in Montpellier

Here are my favorite things to do in Montpellier with one day:

• Start at Place de la Comédie.
• See Montpellier Cathedral.
• Stroll the Jardin des Plantes.
• Have lunch in central Montpellier.
• Take photos on Rue du Bras de Fer.
• Visit the Château de Flaugergues.
• See a sunset at Promenade du Peyrou.
• Finish with wine and dinner at Restaurant le Montis.

One Day in Montpellier

The assumption with everything I’ll get into below is that these things are open. As this is France, some establishments are closed on Sundays. Others alternate with closures on Mondays and Tuesdays, especially if you want to visit one of the city’s museums.

Note: If it’s summertime, be especially flexible. The French love to travel in August in particular, so they may be at the sea when you’re visiting, which means restaurant closures. 

Just roll with it. They have a high quality of life.

Stop 1: Place de la Comédie

Start your day at Place de la Comédie, Montpellier’s central square. This is where you’ll find the Carrousel de la Comedie and the Opéra Comédie, an  Italian-style theater built in the 18th century.

If you’re not human until you’ve had some coffee, grab a coffee at one of the many cafés and avoid eye contact with the street performances that often animate the square.​

Optional Stop 2: Musée Fabre

A short stroll from the square leads you to the Musée Fabre, one of France’s premier art museums. We didn’t make it to this one as there was simply too much lingering elsewhere, but if you’re an art fan, I wanted to mention it as an option. 

Founded in 1825 by painter François-Xavier Fabre, the museum has a collection ranging from classical to contemporary art, including works by Eugène Delacroix. ​You don’t need tickets in advance, but they are available online.

Stop 3: Montpellier Cathedral 

Wander into the medieval quarter to see the imposing Saint-Pierre Cathedral of Montpellier. This is the only church from its era in the city to survive the French Wars of Religion. 

Fun fact: The French Wars of Religion were a series of conflicts between Catholics and Protestants (Huguenots) across France from 1562 to 1598. 

This is the city’s Gothic masterpiece, but it was giving me some of those prison vibes. I guess that makes sense if you grew up going to church.

I’m mostly kidding!

Pieces of the church date back to the 14th century, but it didn’t become a cathedral until the 1500s. That means it’s still very, very old. 

Visit during operating hours (they take a nice long lunch break midday) at no charge. If you’re feeling aggressive, you can climb to the top of the Urbain V tower for a view of the gardens and a closer look at the cathedral’s architectural details.

Stop 4: Jardin des Plantes

The Jardin des Plantes de Montpellier is the oldest botanical garden in France, established in 1593 by King Henri IV.

The gardens were originally created to support the study of medicine at the University of Montpellier, but they’re now a free place to wander. If you visit with us, they’re also a fun place to watch Brian sneeze his brains out.

There are over 2,600 plant species here, including around 500 types that you’ll encounter around the Mediterranean. We loved how peaceful it was in here despite the relative noise of the city just outside.

Stop 5: Lunch

Have lunch before the gardens if you started your morning at the museum. I’m not sure why I have to tell you that, as we’re all adults here, but I’ll admit to forgetting to eat sometimes when I’m really involved in a place.

We had a nice meal at Olya Café, but it was more of a brunch menu than lunch. To keep things central, Crêperie Le Kreisker is a nice crêpe place near the Place de la Comédie. Comptoir de l’Arc gets positive reviews as a classic French bistro, but we didn’t try it.

Stop 6: Rue du Bras de Fer 

Continue your walk through the maze of narrow streets in L’Écusson, the Old Town. This is a quick stop unless you get really visually inspired. These are the city’s rainbow stairs, a burst of color in between Montpellier’s stone buildings. 

I wasn’t able to pin down exactly when they came to be, but they seem to have been painted by locals as a form of street art.

I was surprised it wasn’t super busy here on our visit. We only had to compete with one other couple, and they were about as serious about it as we were. (I’m saying they weren’t very serious.)

If it’s busy, move it along, please. You don’t own the stairs!

Stop 7: Château de Flaugergues

Head out of the city center next to see the Château de Flaugergues, a 17th-century folie built for the city’s nobility. 

Fun fact: Montpellier’s folies are châteaux on the outskirts of the city built by the rich as summer residences. Some had their own vineyards to keep occupants nice and lubricated.

Today, the château offers historical tours, lush gardens, and a working vineyard for you to linger at when you’re done exploring the grounds.

READ MORE: Love a good castle? See whether I think Versailles, the big daddy of them all, is worth a visit.

We took a super aggressive approach to getting there. We walked! It’s NOT close to central Montpellier, though.

If you don’t need a walk of about an hour, take Tram Line 1 from Place de la Comédie to Place de France. It’s about a 20-minute walk to the estate from there.

You can also hop on Bus Line 9 from that same stop to shorten your walking time to about 10 minutes. To get super efficient about it, hop in a rideshare. The château is only about 20 minutes by car.

Stop 8: Promenade du Peyrou

Try to time your visit to this grand esplanade around sunset, which will happen organically if you’ve been following along here.

This is where you’ll find the city’s Arc de Triomphe and the Château d’Eau, a historic water tower that once supplied the city’s fountains.​ The equestrian statue is that of King Louis XIV.

Note: This is the second statue of Louis XIV in Montpellier. The previous was destroyed during the French Revolution. 

Adjacent to the promenade, the 18th-century Aqueduc Saint-Clément is another highlight. I’m kinda saving the best for (almost) last here. The views from here are perfect.

Stop 9: Dinner

It’s likely getting close to quitting time at this point. If you have time for a happy hour or prefer a later dinner, we enjoyed Chez Pinot for wine.

We went with proximity and had small plates and cheese boards at Restaurant le Montis, literally right outside our short-term apartment. It wasn’t a mistake. The bread was crunchy, the portions were generous, and the wine was flowing.

If you like options, Le Chat Perché was on our list. Prices are on the higher side, but the fish dishes and daily specials looked great.

With More Time in Montpellier

You can only cover so much in a day. Here are a few more things to fill out a full weekend in Montpellier, including some of my favorite day trip ideas:

• Spend the day at the beach at Palavas-les-Flots.
• Explore Antigone, a neighborhood known for its design by Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura.
• See L’Arbre Blanc, a residential building built to resemble a tree.
• Take a tour of the Faculty of Medicine, the oldest operating medical school in Europe.
• Visit one of the city’s markets in the Mosson district or the historical center.
• Take in some live music or theater in one of the city’s many venues.
• Take a day trip to the Pic Saint-Loup wine region on guided tours featuring delicious reds and rosés.
• Day trip to Étang de Thau, a lagoon known for its biodiversity.
• Take a trip to medieval Avignon, home to iconic sites like the Pont d’Avignon.

How to Get to Montpellier

To get to Montpellier for your one-day itinerary, you’ll likely start in Paris. From there, you can take a short flight to the Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport or book a high-speed train.

From Paris Gare de Lyon, the fastest trains get you to Montpellier Saint-Roch train station in about three hours and 30 minutes. That’s what we did, and it was a comfortable, affordable ride.

There are more budget-friendly trains, too, but you’ll add travel time. It really depends on your priorities. Of course, you can drive yourself south, too. French road trips are fantastic.

READ MORE: Planning a trip to the French Riviera? You’ll want to start in Nice. Steal my itinerary!

Is Montpellier safe?

Montpellier is generally a safe city. The biggest issues are petty crimes like pickpocketing, especially in crowded areas like the Place de la Comédie.

Montpellier is more relaxed than other French cities like Paris, which can cause some to drop their guard. Be aware of your stuff around tourist hotspots, and you should be fine, even after dark, as you explore what to see in Montpellier.

Where to Stay in Montpellier

We stayed at a short-term rental that is no longer available on any site, but don’t get discouraged. You have all kinds of options in Montpellier. Villa Cemaste looks fantastic, even for a longer stay.

Use the map below for more options:

You should visit Montpellier.

While it’s not at the top of the list of our favorite destinations in France, I do think a visit to Montpellier is a worthwhile stop as you explore cities near the Mediterranean Sea.

It’s a friendly place, too. As you explore what to do in Monepellier, know that the vibes are relaxed, the food is good, and the culture is artsy. Even with just the day, there is much to enjoy about Montpellier.

Planning more travel in France? Check these out:

• A Golfer’s Review of a Visit to Le Golf National
• An April Photo Essay for Giverny
• One Day in Lovely Lille, France
• A One-Day Guide to Monaco Trips
• A Christmas Guide to Lovely Colmar

Here are a few more guides in and around France:

• Is Pricey Lausanne Worth Your Time?
• Things to Do in Strasbourg in Winter
• A Guide to Antibes on the Riviera
• How to Enjoy Nice on Rainy Days
• A Guide to Moving to France From America

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