For a short tourism and relaxation weekend near the Mediterranean, you are considering a stay in Montpellier. It's really a good plan to enjoy a mild climate and a friendly, dynamic city, full of tourist interest and a stone's throw from the beaches!
So if you don't know how to visit Montpellier, here are my ideas for itineraries to take on foot to discover the most beautiful places in the city with their Google Maps.
Why a weekend in Montpellier?
Montpellier has many assets to attract tourists for a weekend:
- Indeed, it is a not very big city that can be easily visited in 1 or 2 days.
- It is a very lively city with many students, bars, lively neighborhoods.
- Well located in the South of France, Montpellier is not very far from the Spanish border and not very far from Marseille or french riviera.
- In addition, it is close to the coast: you can go and enjoy beautiful beaches by public transport (tram + bus): See on Montpellier Tourist Office.
- And finally it is a city which has a real history and a beautiful architectural heritage!
Itinerary ideas to visit Montpellier in 2 dayss
The ideal way to discover all the facets of Montpellier is to dedicate one day to visiting its historic center and a second day to discover the modern part of the city.
Program and itinerary for your first day in Montpellier
For this first day in Montpellier, here is the itinerary of my short tourist circuit of the historic center which can be visited on foot:
- Ecusson district
- Babote Tower
- Comedy Square
- Place de la Canourgue
- Montpellier cathedral
- Medical School
- Water tower - Arceaux
- Place du Peyrou
- Arc de Triomphe
Google Maps route to visit the historic center of Montpellier
This tourist circuit of the historic center of Montpellier is done at a very relaxed pace. In fact, my walking distance represents a little less than 3 kilometers over the entire day. It’s perfect for having time to visit without rushing or getting too tired!
Visits to do in the historic center of Montpellier
The Shield
The stages of my circuit are mainly located around the Ecusson. L'Ecusson is the historic district of Montpellier which includes the Place de la Comédie, its elegant and beautiful residences, the Esplanade promenade, its pretty pools, the Place du Peyrou, the pink granite of Corum...
Barbote Tower
My circuit starts with a beautiful 12th century tower which was part of the fortifications which encircled the city of Montpellier. From there, just take Boulevard Victor Hugo and you will be in the most popular square in Montpellier in 3 minutes: Place de la Comédie.
Comedy Square
Dominated opposite by the Opéra de la Comédie, this square is home to a magnificent fountain from 1773: Les 3 Grâces.
Place de la Canourgue
Very pretty place with lots of greenery where it is good to relax on a bench or have a drink on the terrace of a café (unfortunately outside the COVID period ...).
All around his garden and the Unicorn fountain, you will be able to admire beautiful and old mansions (the Richer de Belleval hotel, the Cambacérès hotel and the Sarret hotel).
Montpellier cathedral
Unfortunately, this magnificent cathedral is not highlighted because it is located between 2 streets and does not sit in the middle of a huge square ... However, it is astonishing because it is very imposing with a massive facade which gives it power and power. incredible strength.
The Montpellier cathedral can be visited freely but by following guided tours. The Cathedral Tourism Ministry organizes free guided tours in high season: 04 67 66 04 12.
Medical School
The Faculty of Medicine of Montpellier which is located in the continuation of the Cathedral is one of the oldest in Europe. In particular, it welcomed Rabelais in 1530.
Royal Place du Peyrou
Created in 1688 to house a monumental statue of Louis XIV, the Place du Peyrou is delimited at the bottom by its magnificent water tower. The latter is connected to the St-Clément aqueduct (Arceaux Aqueduct) which measures almost 14 km.
The Arceaux
The 18th century Saint-Clément aqueduct (or Arceaux aqueduct) was built to supply Montpellier with water. It connects the Saint-Clément source to the water tower (see photo below) of the Peyrou promenade over 14 kilometers.
Guidais Hotel
Classified as a Historic Monument, theGuidais Hotel is typical of the private mansions of the Montpellier heritage. It can be visited by appointment: 09 50 44 12 01.
Arc de Triomphe
The Porte du Peyrou forms an Arc de Triomphe decorated with bas-reliefs which retrace the victories of Louis XIV.
Program and itinerary for your second day in Montpellier
For this second day in Montpellier, I invite you to discover the modern part of town which owes its fame thanks to the great architects who admirably shaped these new districts.
Here is the route to follow to visit the modern part of the city of Montpellier:
- Castle Flaugergues
- Garden of plants
- Fabre Museum
- Antigone
- Jacques Coeur Basin
- Space the White Tree
- Planet Ocean Montpellier Aquarium
Google Maps route to visit the modern part of Montpellier
For this 2nd day, the distances to be covered on foot are a little longer. You will be able to do half of the route in the morning (5 km or 1 hour of walking) and the other half in the afternoon (6 km or about 1h30 of walking).
Visits to do in the modern part of Montpellier
Castle Flaugergues
This castle that Etienne de Flaugergues (adviser to the Court of Auditors of Montpellier) acquired in 1696 looks like an Italian villa. Surrounded by a magnificent park classified as a “Remarkable Garden”, you can book a visit on the Château's official website: Castle Flaugergues
Garden of plants
Created in 1593, this garden is part of the heritage of the Faculty of Medicine of Montpellier. It is the oldest botanical garden in France.
Fabre Museum
For art lovers, I recommend a visit to the Fabre Museum. It was created in 1825 thanks to the generosity of the native painter of Montpellier: Francois-Xavier Fabre. Thanks to other patrons and artists like Bazille ou Soulages, the Museums' collections have multiplied and range from the Renaissance period to the present day.
Antigone
You can access the new Antigone district through the shopping center The Polygon. It is a modern district which dates back to the 90s. It was designed to link the center of Montpellier to the banks of the Lez where the new faculties and administrative centers such as the regional hotel are located.
Jacques Coeur Basin
In the heart of the Port Marianne district, take a short trip to the Jacques Coeur basin (water jet thirty meters high). A promenade lined with palm trees is arranged there with good little restaurants and bars ...
The White Tree
Several renowned architects (the Japanese Sou Fujimoto, the French Nicolas Laisné and Manal Rachdi) are at the origin of this magnificent all-white building!
You can go up to the top to have a meal in its restaurant or have a drink in its bar on the 17th floor.
Aquarium
If you have children, Planet Ocean Montpellier Aquarium can be an interesting and refreshing visit in the summer. It is a complex which brings together an aquarium and a planetarium and which is located in the Odysseum area.
Weekend in Montpellier – Don’t forget the gastronomy!
Montpellier is full of delicious places where you can taste the cuisine of the South of France. For an authentic gastronomic experience, head to one of the restaurants in the Ecusson district where you can enjoy traditional dishes such as tielle Sétoise, a delicious seafood pie.
If you're looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, head to one of the city's many markets, such as the Marché des Arceaux or the Marché du Lez. Here you will find a variety of fresh produce, from fruits and vegetables to local cheeses and wines. Don't hesitate to taste regional specialties such as cod brandade or oysters from the Etang de Thau.
For lovers of sweets, don't miss out on visiting the patisseries and chocolate shops in Montpellier. Enjoy colorful macaroons, almond crunchies or artisanal chocolates.
What if you stay longer in Montpellier?
If you stay more than a weekend in Montpellier, you can explore the surroundings of the city:
- The Etang de Thau nature reserve, a unique Mediterranean lagoon. Stroll along the banks of the pond, watch the flamingos, and enjoy fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants around Marseillan.
- Another unmissable natural site is the Cévennes National Park, located an hour's drive from Montpellier. Hike through its picturesque landscapes, discover its waterfalls and lush green valleys, and soak up the tranquility of nature.
- Visit Saint Guilhem the Desert, one of the most beautiful villages in France, a 45-minute drive from Montpellier;
- For a unique experience, visit the regional natural park of Camargue, a vast nature reserve located at the mouth of the Rhône. Explore its salt marshes, observe the pink flamingos and discover the unique culture of the herdsmen, the traditional cowboys of the region.
- Or simply a lazy day on a beach in Palavas les Flots, Boucanet, Aresquiers in Frontignan or on the magnificent and large Espiguette beach.
Where to stay for a weekend in Montpellier?
And if you had to look for accommodation on your own, be careful not to choose it in a dangerous area (see the which neighborhoods to avoid in Montpellier).
- If you are looking for an apartment rental in Montpellier, I recommend an apartment hotel at the Privilège Hôtel Eurociel Center Comédie. These apartments are very well located in the center of Montpellier, a few steps from Place de la Comédie. Recommended apartment in Montpellier
- For hotel fans, here is an ideal little gem for a weekend in Montpellier: theHôtel Oceania Le Métropole. In fact, this hotel 4 stars with swimming pool and located in the center of Montpellier (4 minutes from the Place de la Comédie) is accessible at only 130 Euros per night! See this hotel in Montpellier
Want to discover other nuggets of South of France ? So here is my road trip in the Gard, my weekend around Carcassonne, my romantic getaway in Collioure, or a short stay in Marseille, or the most beautiful villages of Lot and Aveyron