Montpellier Travelers Recommend

With three days in Montpellier, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the city and the surrounding area, from the wine-producing Languedoc region to the historic city of Arles, full of ancient Roman architecture. Check out this itinerary for how to best plan your time.

Day 1: A Day in Montpellier

Devote your first day in Montpellier to exploring the cuisine, culture, and history of the city and its surrounding areas. Start with a visit to the Ecusson district, highlights of which include the Fabre Museum, which features a large collection of Fauvist art from the 15th-19th centuries,

Nearby, the Museum of Old Montpellier traces local history, while the Esplanade de Charles de Gaulle is a green space with lots of room to wander. To see other spots such as Montpellier Cathedral and Place de la Comédie, consider booking a historical walking or Segway tour. While in town, don’t miss the chance to sample local cuisine; a foodie tour allows you to sample some of the best oysters and cassoulet in the city.

Day 2: Languedoc Food and Wine

On your second day, explore the region surrounding Montpellier. If you’re looking for a half-day option, try a short tour with round-trip transportation to the nearby port city of Sète, a half-hour drive away, where you’ll find Mediterranean panoramas, seafood restaurants, and a handful of museums.

If you’re a fan of wine, book a tour to explore the Languedoc area, which produces some of France's most celebrated fine wines. There are plenty of wineries to visit in Languedoc, the most popular of which are situated in the Pic Saint-Loup area. You’ll also find some great hiking opportunities along with a smattering of local attractions, from olive oil producers to historic old villages. Round off your second day with a guided trip to Marseillan, the birthplace of vermouth, where you can visit a vermouth distillery and even learn to make the beverage yourself.

Day 3: Day Trip to Arles and Around

Consider a visit to Arles to explore a city full of ancient Roman architecture; its also where Vincent Van Gogh spent a fair amount of time. Start with a visit to the Roman Amphitheater, the city's most famous attraction, which dates back to 90 AD. Interestingly, entire neighborhoods were built at the amphitheater, where people lived until 1826, when it was restored into a national historic monument. Other top spots include the nearby Roman Theater, still occasionally used for concerts, and the Thermes de Constantin, excavated roman bath houses.

While you could easily spend a whole day exploring the historic sites of Arles, day trips from Montpellier offer additional stops, such as Saint Remy de Provence, where Van Gogh painted The Starry Night, and the charming commune of Les Baux de Provence, a hilltop village set around ancient fortifications.

Both Montpellier and the surrounding Languedoc region offer plenty in terms of historic highlights. With two days in Montpellier, you’ll have ample time to experience the city’s food, wine, and history. Here’s how.

Day 1: Highlights of Montpellier and Sète

**Morning:**Devote your first morning to visiting local attractions, the bulk of which are in the Ecusson area and can be easily accessed on walking or Segway tours. Highlights include the Fabre Museum, the verdant Esplanade de Charles de Gaulle, and the Museum of Montpellier, which traces the city's history.

**Afternoon:**In the afternoon, make your way to the nearby port city of Sète. Here, a plethora of restaurants serve up freshly-caught seafood; consider a food tour if you want to sample a variety of local dishes and don't miss a visit to Mont Saint-Clair, a hilltop chapel with views over the Mediterranean.

**Night:**If you have energy left in the evening, you may want to consider a visit to the town of Marseillan, where Vermouth originates. Here you can visit a vermouth distillery to learn all about and sample the popular drink, or even learn how to make it yourself.

Day 2: Wine and History of Languedoc

**Morning:**The Languedoc region is known for its fantastic wine, so spend day two exploring the surrounding area to sample local delights. Popular half-day options include visits to olive oil producers followed by lunch at a local restaurant. 

**Afternoon:**Devote the afternoon to local wineries. Most tours from Montpellier head to the area around the mountain of Pic Saint-Loup, which has a unique terrain unlike elsewhere in the region. Don’t miss a stop in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, a historic city situated on the Camino de Santiago.  

**Night:**In the evening, return to Montpellier where you’ll have even more gastronomical options to choose from. Although you may be tempted to plop down at a local restaurant, consider a culinary tour if you want to try as many types of dish as possible.

With one day in the historic city of Montpellier, you’ll have time to visit several top attractions, try local cuisine, and pop over to the port city of Sète for the afternoon. Here’s how to make the most of 24 hours in the city.

Morning: Historic Highlights

Spend your first morning familiarizing yourself with the Old Montpellier’s Ecusson area on a walking tour. Tours typically cover the Esplanade de Charles de Gaulle, renowned for its meandering pathways and trees. On one side of the park sits the Fabre Museum, home to a collection of sculptures and paintings from across Europe, including works by a number of celebrated Fauvist painters. From here, it's a short walk to the Museum of Old Montpellier, which pays homage to the city's past.

Afternoon: Discover Sète

In the afternoon, check out the Montpellier Zoo if you have kids in tow or take a half-day tour to the nearby fishing port city of Sète, located 30 minutes from Montpellier. It's a good place to grab lunch, with lots of fresh seafood available, though gastronomy is not all the city has to offer. Highlights include Mont Saint-Clair, a hilltop chapel with sea views and the Espace Georges Brassens, devoted to the life and works of the beloved French singer.

Night: Eat like a Local

In the evening, discover local delicacies such as cassoulet (meat and white bean casserole) or bourride (spicy white fish stew). For a comprehensive culinary experience, join a food tour with a local guide. Not only does this remove language barriers but lets you discover different types of foods made in the reason—think cheese, wine, olive oil, and pastries, and fine wine.