Best things to do in Montpellier
With fine museums, a charming old centre and a bouncy rhythm of life, Montpellier works just as well either for a longer, relaxing stay, or a whirlwind two-day tour of its highlights.
Viewpoints and panoramas
The best districts
Ecusson (Old Town): Known as “l’écusson” as it is shaped like a shield, the Old Town is richly adorned by elaborate mansion facades and is home to a maze of medieval streets and a coterie of small museums.
Quartier Ste-Anne: The city’s old artisanal quarter, containing houses that survive from as early as the 13th century – look out for the outline of the (filled in) medieval arched windows, which were uncovered during restoration, as you wander around.
Museums
Musée Languedocien: Worth a look not only for its collection of medieval artefacts, which include 13th-century ceramics and a curious lead baptismal font, but also for the impressively vaulted Gothic interior of the main exhibition room.
MOCO Hôtel des Collections: This impressive exhibition space hosts works from the world’s leading public and private contemporary art collections – some of which are displayed in public for the first time.
Parks and gardens
Champ de Mars: A park with both a formal promenade and a network of paths and ponds which attract sunbathers and strollers in good weather.
Jardin des Plantes: Stroll orderly lines of botanical specimens, cool down beside the pond of its English garden, and wander among tropical and Mediterranean trees. Delightful.
Historical monuments
Hôtel de Varennes: The ground floor is almost entirely Gothic in style, and includes the beautiful 14th-century salle de Pétrarque, a long hall vaulted with delicate stone ribs.
Arc de Triomphe: The arch, designed on the ancient Roman model, consists of a single, free-standing entryway, whose sides are covered with low-relief sculptures - all in all, quite spectacular.
Day trips in the area
Carcassonne: France’s most famous and evocative medieval citadel is a must-see while in Languedoc - but visit off-season to avoid the crowds.
Pont du Gard: 2,000 years old and still sublimely graceful, this towering Roman aqueduct just a short drive from Montpellier spans the Gard River a few kilometres west of the Rhône.
Activities for families in Montpellier
Families will have an absolute blast on their Montpellier holidays, with so many activities to choose from, both of the relaxing variety and the slightly more active persuasion.
Swimming: The superb Piscine Olympique d’Antigone is part of a massive indoor swimming and sports complex - the place to go if you can’t be doing with crowded beaches.
Cycling: Montpellier’s municipal Vélomagg stations around town rent bikes free for the first hour then a small charge per hour thereafter - a cheap and fun activity for all the family.
Aquariums and zoos: An action-packed day out is guaranteed at Parc Zoologique de Lunaret, home to more than 120 species in zones split into their continents of origin; here too is France’s largest Amazonian greenhouse.
Indoor parks: Odysseum (a good destination in bad weather) is where you’ll find a shopping mall, cinema complex, bowling alley, ice rink, planetarium, restaurants and Planet Ocean, where you can explore the world’s seas – the recreation of being caught in a storm is actually quite scary.
Free things to do in Montpellier
Exploring this lovely city is easily done on a minimum spend, with just a few ways you can do this outlined here.
Festivals: Most of the action in Hérault département is centred on Montpellier, which is renowned for its cultural vitality, hosting a range of annual festivals. Le Festival de Radio-France et Montpellier in July is a music festival representing styles from classical to jazz - and half the concerts are free.
Visit the markets: There are covered and outdoor markets galore here: Castellane, on rue de la Loge, is the pick of the former, while Marché des Arceaux is the pick of the latter.
Water jousting: Invented centuries ago in Sète by soldiers training for the Crusades, this good-natured sport is a symbol of traditional Languedoc culture - the kids’ll love it.
Nature and outdoor activities
The area surrounding the city is one vast natural playground, and whether you just fancy a quick pedal or want to observe wildlife, spending time in the countryside is all part of enjoying holidays to Montpellier.
Cycling: One great ride starts in Port Marianne and runs for 12km to Palavas, a mostly flat path following the Lez River.
Water sports: The sea here is warm and placid and there are plenty of places where you can rent equipment, be it for scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding; the beaches of Palavas-les-Flots and Carnon are excellent spots for these activities.
Nature reserves: The Camargue Gardoise, formerly known as the “Petite Camargue”, is an open expanse of saltpans and marshes, populated by horses, bulls and birdlife, while the Étang de Thau is a protected area known for its rich biodiversity, which includes some fantastic birdlife.
Hiking: The trails in the Pic Saint-Loup provide stunning vistas of the countryside, but for a more challenging hike, head to Cévennes National Park.
