Écusson
Medieval streets, small squares, restaurants and sights in the heart of the pedestrianised old town.
Best for first visits and shorter stays.
Occitanie · Old town, beaches and wine
Medieval streets, sunlit squares, modern architecture and easy access to the Mediterranean – Montpellier brings city life, culture, beaches and wine together in one lively base in southern France.
The historic centre is known as Écusson, a compact maze of pedestrian streets, small squares, town houses, shops, wine bars and restaurants. Place de la Comédie forms the natural gateway to the old town.
Montpellier also has a rich cultural and academic heritage. Musée Fabre, the historic Faculty of Medicine, Jardin des Plantes and the classical Peyrou promenade are all within comfortable walking distance.
To the east, the city reveals its modern side in Antigone and Port Marianne. Beaches, lagoons and vineyard landscapes are also only a short excursion away.
Open the mini-guides for editorially adapted information from Montpellier Méditerranée Tourisme without leaving the page.
European art from the Renaissance to the present day, displayed across historic and contemporary architecture.
A triumphal arch, water tower, aqueduct and open views across the city and surrounding landscape.
France's oldest botanical garden offers a peaceful, historic green space beside the medical quarter.
Monumental squares and neoclassical lines designed by Ricardo Bofill between the centre and the Lez.
Choose the length of your stay and follow a realistic itinerary combining the old town, art, beaches, food and excursions in Occitanie.
The centre is compact enough to cover its main sights without making the day feel rushed.
A long weekend allows time for historic Montpellier, its modern districts and a trip to the Mediterranean.
With five days, you can add vineyard scenery, lagoons and a substantial day trip without changing base.
Choose between historic atmosphere, convenient rail access, local neighbourhood life or modern architecture near the Lez.
Medieval streets, small squares, restaurants and sights in the heart of the pedestrianised old town.
Best for first visits and shorter stays.Close to the railway station, tram lines, shopping and the entrance to the historic centre.
A good choice without a car and for day trips.Cafés, market life and quieter residential streets north of the old town.
Well suited to longer stays and a more local feel.Open squares, modern architecture, the Lez and easy tram links to the centre and towards the coast.
Well suited to modern hotels and families.The aqueduct, market, elegant streets and a short walk to the old town.
A good choice for couples and quieter evenings.Here are all the hotels we have selected in Montpellier, across categories and price levels. Use the map to compare locations.
★★★★★5-star hotel in Montpellier with restaurant options, old town and rooms and suites and a comfortable, well-located feel.
★★★★★5-star hotel in Montpellier with spa, restaurant options and pool and a comfortable, well-located feel.
★★★★4-star hotel in Montpellier with restaurant options and good views and a comfortable, well-located feel.
★★★★4-star hotel in Montpellier with spa, restaurant options and pool and a comfortable, well-located feel.
★★★3-star hotel in Montpellier with old town and boutique feel and a comfortable, well-located feel.
★★★3-star hotel in Montpellier with old town and breakfast service and a comfortable, well-located feel.
★★★3-star hotel in Montpellier with restaurant options and stylish design and a comfortable, well-located feel.
★★2-star hotel in Montpellier with old town, family-friendly room options and boutique feel and a comfortable, well-located feel.
The map shows campsites with their own websites near Montpellier, prioritising the closest options so you can combine the city with the Mediterranean coast, lagoons, Pic Saint-Loup and other experiences in Occitanie.
Long sandy beaches, promenades and activities within easy reach of the city.
Lagoons, birdlife, open beaches and the cathedral setting create a quieter, more nature-focused day by the coast.
Garrigue, vineyards and villages north of Montpellier are ideal for wine tasting and short walks.
Montpellier combines Mediterranean ingredients, Languedoc wines and a modern restaurant scene. The listings below link to each restaurant's official website.
A fine-dining restaurant in Hôtel Richer de Belleval, where historic rooms meet creative cooking and considerable wine expertise.
Restaurant LeclèreAn intimate restaurant with a set menu shaped by availability, the season and each day's deliveries.
La Réserve RimbaudAn elegant restaurant in a green setting beside the Lez, with creative cooking based on ingredients from Occitanie.
CÉNAA modern gastronomic address in Écusson, with a clear focus on regional producers, craftsmanship and responsible sourcing.
Pastis RestaurantIngredient-led cooking in the artistic Sainte-Anne quarter, centred on market produce and wine.
La Table des PoètesA small, personal restaurant in the Chaptal quarter, offering French gastronomy, an open kitchen process and a seasonally changing menu.
ArtisaneA stylish restaurant with precise cooking, local ingredients and a modern, informal setting.
Reflet d’ObioneCreative, sustainable cooking that highlights plants, local ingredients and flavours from the region.
Beaches, wine, a port town and wetlands create four very different days without changing hotel.
Combine beaches, lagoons and birdlife on a quieter stretch of coast than the largest resorts.
Best for: beaches and natureCar or organised wine tourVineyards, garrigue, small villages and views in one of the area's best-known wine landscapes.
Best for: wine and sceneryTrain or carCanals, a working port, seafood and a strong coastal identity make Sète an appealing contrast to the city.
Best for: harbour life, food and walkingCar or organised tourWetlands, flamingos, salt landscapes and wide horizons west of the Rhône delta.
Best for: nature and photographyRead the full city guide, plan a wine journey through Languedoc or combine Montpellier with beaches and a rail trip across Occitanie.
Read more about the sights, four days in the area, hotels, restaurants and excursions.
Read the Montpellier guide →
Explore Pic Saint-Loup, coastal wine areas and one of France's most varied wine regions.
Read the Languedoc guide →
Combine Montpellier with Toulouse, Carcassonne and other stops in southern France without relying on a car.
View the rail itinerary →Find inspiration in city breaks, beach guides, wine journeys and new destinations across France.