Arc de Triomphe in Montpellier

Your Perfect Guide to Montpellier

Wondering if Montpellier is worth visiting? Spoiler: It absolutely is! 

The energy and friendliness I experienced made the beautiful streets come to life. It’s an easy train ride from Paris, and Transavia offers cheap flights out of the local airport. 

If you follow my Instagram (@sunandsombra), you know that I am always chasing the best deal or the best experience, and sometimes both at the same time. Last weekend, I decided my flight options from Paris to Madrid were too expensive and inconvenient. My solution? Took a train from Paris to Montpellier, spent the day, and took an evening flight to Madrid. And the result? A beautiful day trip for less than the direct flight. 

This afternoon was the perfect taste of Montpellier and only made me want to return. Hopefully this article will inspire you in the same way! 

Below is some more info about the city, but click here if you want to jump to the guide!

Street view Montpellier

Where is Montpellier?

Montpellier is located in the south of France, a few kilometers inland from the Mediterranean coast. And you can definitely feel the more friendly and open Mediterranean vibes influencing the city. 

If you have been to Nice or Marseille, just keep heading west on the map, following the coast as it curves towards Spain. I was actually surprised at the Spanish influence in Montpellier, from tapas restaurants to the number of people speaking the language. 

Montpellier is also a university town, meaning there is a large international element. I was super happy to see the number of coffee shops and bars that were filled with chatting friend groups all throughout the afternoon. 

How to get there

How to get to Montpellier? You have plenty of options to choose from. 

1. Car: If you’re road-tripping, this is an easy stop along the coast or if you’re heading down from Paris. 

Bonus Tip: Check out DriiveMe to rent a vehicle for ONE EURO! It only goes one-way and the destinations vary, but this is an ideal way to adventure on a budget. 

2. Bus: I personally am not a fan of long bus rides, however, I do understand that this can be a much cheaper option. Omio is a good option to compare different prices. That being said, there are some times super cheap flights and train rides available across Europe. Check this too before you pay the same for a very long bus ride! 

3. Plane: The Montpellier airport is very easy to get to. There is a bus from outside the historic center that will take you directly to this small airport in 30-40 minutes for 1.60 euros. Plus, low-cost airlines like Transavia offer great deals. As always, I recommend playing with Google Flights to get you started. 

4. Train: I love train travel! So much easier than flying, and often does not take much longer if you account for the time you need around the actual flight. It’s only over 3 hours straight from Paris. I’ve been using Trainline a lot in France to see my options. 

This is how to spend a perfect day in montpellier

The historic city center is extremely walkable, mostly pedestrian streets, and really just adorable. 

I did this self-created walking tour in 3 hours, making this a very easy day trip

I’ve used Wanderlog to create a super easy itinerary for you to follow, but I’ll outline it here, as well! 

This map was made with Wanderlog, a travel planner on iOS and Android

1. Place de la Comédie 

Famous plaza showcasing the Opera House and the statue of the Three Graces, goddesses of Montpellier.  

2. Torre de la babote

This used to be part of the city’s fortifications and included an observatory.

3. follow the streets to the corner of Rue du Petit Saint-Jean & Rue du Plan d’Adgle

The best way to see a new city is by walking through the streets! Google “Le Saint Roch bar” to find a picturesque (yet unnamed) square worth having a coffee at. 
Curved Street Montpellier

4. Église Saint-Roch de Montpellier

Check out the mural facing the Church! (Hint: Look behind you)
 

5. Rue du Bras de Fer – Rainbow Steps

Each step is a different color, making this pathway a super cute photo op!
Rainbow Steps

6. Sainte Anne

Housed inside a renovated Gothic church, you’ll find a contemporary art museum. Access to the exhibits is free. 
At the time of writing this article, the museum was temporarily closed. However, it is still impressive to look at the building from the street. 
Sainte Anne

7. Arc de Triomphe

This is just like the famous one in Paris, just a littttllleee bit smaller (and by that I mean, A LOT smaller). 
It’s really impressive and actually lets you see the details much better than you would its larger sister.
Arc de Triomphe

8. Promenade du Peyrou

Located right behind the Arc de Triomphe is this famous promenade. On Sundays you’ll find a market including adorable food trucks and second-hand finds. 

9. Château d’Eau Du Peyrou
This was a beautiful structure within the same promenade. I recommend seeing it in the late afternoon to watch the colors reflect on the water and the stone. 
Palace d'eau
10. Aqueduc Saint-Clément
You can see the aqueduct from the Château. There are steps off to the side that will take you to a park to see it closer up. 
11. Jardin des plantes

This is the botanical garden of Montpellier. It was beautiful in November, so I can only imagine when plants are in bloom. 

12. Montpellier Cathedral
Is it even a city in France if it doesn’t have at least a few churches and a cathedral? Jokes aside, the entrance is really impressive here. The tall columns create a dome effect. 
 
As you explore the streets, stop at Café Georges for a coffee and a sweet treat! Super good. 

13. Esplanade Charles de Gaulle
Last but not least, the esplanade. This is a pretty walk that will loop you back towards your starting point, La Place de la Comédie. 

 

Plus, you will also find a Christmas market here during the holiday season! 

Bonus Stop:

The Bra Street, or so I’ve dubbed it. While I can’t find a lot of information as to what is going on here, it looks like this might be a form of street art to raise cancer awareness. Try Googling the intersection of Rue de Barcelone and Rue Laffite (currently a Chez Monsieur Coiffeur there) to see for yourself! 

Bra Street

So is Montpellier worth visiting? Yes! I would love to go back. Hope this post inspired you to visit