Montpellier

Travel Guide

Comedy Square featuring street scenes and heritage architecture as well as a small group of people
Boutonnet
Peyrou Gardens featuring heritage elements
Beaux Arts-Boutonnet
Chateau de Flaugergues featuring a house, interior views and art
Imagine yourself in medieval France in this ancient trade and university town. Then take advantage of the easy access to the Mediterranean Sea.

Montpellier is home to France’s oldest botanical garden and one of its oldest universities. Due to its southern location, Montpellier is not a typical medieval French city. Note the influence of Spain on the city’s architecture, sample fish caught fresh from the Mediterranean Sea and take a daytrip south to sunbathe in a Mediterranean resort town.

Begin in the Place de la Comédie, an open central square abutted by the grand Opera House. Watch a world-class performance here or simply observe the 19th-century building at night when its giant windows are illuminated with purple neon lights.

Walk just a few blocks east of Montpellier’s historic center to one of its newest developments: the Antigone neighborhood. Between 1979 and 2000, this area was entirely redeveloped by famed architect Ricardo Bofill, who is from the nearby Spanish region of Catalonia. The massive neoclassical buildings culminate in the grassy amphitheater of the Esplanade de l’Europe, which curves along the Lez River. Come to the esplanade on Friday evenings during the summer for wine tasting.

Montpellier’s history of prosperity and its rich artistic tradition have given it exciting and influential cultural attractions. The Botanical Garden, founded in 1593, is France’s oldest it inspired the design of the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. Visit the Fabre Museum to see a collection of classical European art, including an extensive collection of drawings by French masters. Inside the Montpellier Cathedral you will find a canvas by Sébastien Bourdon, one of the city’s most famous native artists.

Take advantage of Montpellier’s Mediterranean location by visiting Palavas les Flots, which is a 20-minute drive south of the city. This resort town is located on a long and extremely narrow island off the French coastline. While there, try succulent shrimp or cod from local waters.

An international airport lies 5 miles (8 kilometers) east of the Montpellier city center. Once in the city, get around via the extensive tramway network and on foot. You will find that a pleasant Mediterranean breeze blows through its narrow medieval streets.

Where to stay in Montpellier

Montpellier which includes street scenes

Montpellier City-Centre

4/5(28 area reviews)

Noted for its historic sites and river views, there's plenty to explore in Montpellier City-Centre. Top attractions like Comedy Square and Fabre Museum are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Comedie Tram Station or Hotel de Ville Tram Station to see more of the city.

Montpellier City-Centre
Babotte\'s Tower featuring heritage elements

Montpellier-Centre

Noted for its historic sites and river views, there's plenty to explore in Montpellier-Centre. Top attractions like Montpellier Cathedral and Jardin des plantes de Montpellier are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Louis Blanc Tram Station or Place Albert 1er Tram Station to see more of the city.

Montpellier-Centre

Les Cévennes

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Les Cévennes and surrounding area, you can visit Montpellier Aqueduct and La Promenade du Peyrou.

Les Cévennes
Montpellier featuring cycling, a square or plaza and street scenes

Ecusson

If you're spending time in Ecusson, check out sights like Montpellier Cathedral or Fabre Museum and hop on the metro to see more the city at Comedie Tram Station or Louis Blanc Tram Station.

Ecusson
Babotte\'s Tower

Comédie

Noted for its historic sites and shopping, there's plenty to explore in Comédie. Top attractions like Comedy Square and Opera National Orchestra of Montpellier are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Comedie Tram Station or Hotel de Ville Tram Station to see more of the city.

Comédie
Croix-d\'Argent

Croix-d'Argent

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

The restaurants and shopping are a few things visitors like about Croix-d'Argent. Check out Stade Sabathe while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Sabines Tram Station or Villeneuve d'Angouleme Tram Station to get around town.

Croix-d'Argent
Novotel Suites Montpellier

Novotel Suites Montpellier

4 out of 5
45 avenue du Pirée, Montpellier, Herault
The price is ¥18,088 per night from Jul 22 to Jul 23
¥18,088
¥21,137 total
Jul 22 - Jul 23
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Montpellier. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Comedy Square and Esplanade de l'Europe ...
8/10 Very Good! (679 reviews)
Fun, comfy but desperately needs AC improvements
"We stayed here after an Airbnb apartment issue before heading to another place. We kind of envisioned it as a vacation from our vacation. Great little kitchen option. Nice bathroom, comfy bed. Pool was so fun for our kiddo and great but expensive breakfast. Biggest issue was AC was hardly functional ..."

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2025

Novotel Suites Montpellier
JOST Hotel Montpellier Centre St Roch

JOST Hotel Montpellier Centre St Roch

50 Rue Isabelle Eberhardt, Montpellier, Hérault
Stay at this hotel in Montpellier. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (249 reviews)
"Easy access to the city centre, its restaurants and other attractions. I spent a weekend here with my wife and our dog (so we absolutely loved that it was a pet friendly facility)."

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

JOST Hotel Montpellier Centre St Roch
Bikube Montpellier

Bikube Montpellier

4 out of 5
46 Bd de Strasbourg, Montpellier, Hérault
The price is ¥15,474 per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
¥15,474
¥18,262 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Montpellier. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Popular attractions Comedy Square and Polygone ...
10/10 Exceptional! (18 reviews)
"Pleasant experience. Clean and optimized facility. Walkable to downtown."

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025

Bikube Montpellier
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Cities near Montpellier