48 hours in Montpellier – Weekend Edition
Montpellier In Less Than 48 Words
Montpellier is the eighth-largest city in France, located in the Languedoc-Rousillon region. The sun shines on this university city 300 days a year. It has become a popular holiday destination, renowned for its natural scenery, warm weather, and lively student atmosphere.
The fountain of Three Graces at Place de la Comedie (Photo by Chris Hopkins)
First 24 Hours
You can fly to the sun-filled city of Montpellier via the Montpellier – Méditerranée Airport, which is located seven kilometers southeast of the city center. From there, you can catch a shuttle bus that will take you to the Place de l’Europe, which is near the heart of the city. The journey only lasts for around 15 minutes, and tickets will cost you €5. Alternatively, you can opt to hire a taxi to the same destination, although it will cost you a lot more.
Montpellier is a fairly easy city to navigate, and most tourists usually spend their time at the Écusson quarter. It is compact and pedestrianized, so you can reach attractions of foot. However, it is still advisable to visit its main tourist office (30 allée Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, 00 33 4 67 60 60 60), where you can learn valuable tourist information. It is open from 9 am to 6:30 pm during weekdays, and 10 am to 5 pm on weekends. You can also purchase a Montpellier CITY card there for €20, which will allow you free use of public transport and free entrance to main attractions.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Montpellier’s hotels
Hotel du Parc (Photo by esteve34000)
You can arrange a nice stay for your 48 hour visit to Montpellier at one of its excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Hotel d’Aragon (10 rue Baudin, 34000 Montpellier, France, +33 04 67 10 7000, website). It is a small but charming hotel located conveniently in the city center, with well-maintained rooms and excellent service.
A nice alternative is the Kyriad Montpellier Centre Antigone (890 Avenue Jean Mermoz, 34000 Montpellier, France, 04 67 64 88 50, website), which is a beautiful and peaceful hotel with comfortable amenities. You can also try out the Hotel du Parc (8 Rue Achille Bégé, 34090 Montpellier, France, 04 67 41 16 49, website). It is a two-star hotel with exceptional décor, friendly staff, delicious breakfast, and terraces with nice views.
CHATEAU D’EAU: Let’s take a view
Chateau d’Eau (Photo by Dana Lipárová)
A nice starting point for visitors in Montpellier is the Chateau d’Eau (Promenade du Peyrou, Montpellier). It is an octagonal temple known for its water reservoir that is fed from an 18th century aqueduct. However, the best attraction is clambering up to its top floor, where you will be rewarded with superb views of the aqueduct, the cityscape, and the nearby Cévennes Mountains that surround Montpellier.
PLACE DE LA COMEDIE: Go for a cultural hike
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Montpellier is the Place de la Comedie (53 Place de la Comedie, Montpellier 34000 France, +33 4 67 60 60 60). It is a historical square that makes up the heart of the city, and is believed to have been established in 1755. It was named after a theater of the same name that was burned down by enemy forces in 1855. At its center, you’ll find the Three Graces, an exquisite fountain sculpted in 1790 by Étienne d’Antoine.
Another attraction there is the Opera Comedie, where you can watch shows and events. You can also admire the impressive facades of the numerous 19th century buildings surrounding the square. At its northeast corner, you can relax at the nearby Esplanade de Charles de Gaulle, which is a small park.
MONTPELLIER ZOO: Explore nature
Another noteworthy attraction for tourists in Montpellier is the Montpellier Zoo (50 Avénue d’Agropolis 34090, +33 (0) 4 67 54 45 23, website). It is the biggest zoo in Montpellier, covering nearly 80 hectares.
The most striking feature of the zoo is the La Serre Amazonienne, which is a unique greenhouse built to mimic the Amazon environment. It has an area of 2,600 square meters, and serves as a sanctuary for over 500 animals and around 8,000 plants of 300 different species. It also has an aviary, and an artificial rainstorm strikes the greenhouse every two hours to simulate the rainforest conditions. Examples of wildlife to be seen there include anacondas, armadillos, boas, anteaters, piranhas, tarantulas, caimans, bats, Amazon ants, and many more exotic animals.
Entrance to La Serre Amazonienne (Photo by Yves Tennevin)
You can reach the zoo by taking the La Navette number 9 bus all the way to Agropolis. It is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm, and admission will cost you around €5.
DINNER TIME: Discover Montpellier’s restaurants
You are guaranteed a delicious dinner at the restaurants available all over the city. One of the best in the city is the Le Grillardin (3 Place de la Chapelle Neuve, 34000 Montpellier, France, 09 62 39 66 91). It offers a delicious local cuisine, grilled dishes, and passionate service at reasonable prices. A nice alternative is the Le Jardin des Sens (11 avenue St Lazarre, 34000 Montpellier, France, 33 04 99 58 38 38, website), which serves an authentic French cuisine in good-sized portions.
You can also try out the La Maison de la Lozere (rue de l’Aiguillerie, Montpellier, France, 04 67 66 46 36, website). It is a five-star restaurant with delicious French dishes and excellent service. Another is the Le Kinoa (6 Rue des Soeurs Noires, 34000 Montpellier, France, 04 67 15 34 38), which is located in a quiet square, with delicious food and an excellent wine selection.
Next 24 Hours
Montpellier Cathedral (Photo by Wolfgang Staudt)
Your next 24 hours in Montpellier can be used to discover the city’s other tourist attractions. One of the must-sees in the city is the Museum of Old Montpellier (Hotel de Varennes 2 Place Pétrarque 34000, +33 (0) 4 67 66 02 94). It is a museum dedicated to chronicling the city’s long history from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the French Revolution, and the Empire Period to the present. Inside, you’ll find various artifacts like furnishings, decorative arts, fashion items, and so on. The site is open on Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9:30 am to 5 pm.
MONTPELLIER CATHEDRAL: Let’s go to church
Go to church at the Montpellier Cathedral (Rue du Cardinal de Cabrière 34000), which is also known as the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Montpellier. It is a French national monument, as well as one of Montpellier’s most striking landmarks. Built in 1364, it is the seat of the Archbishops of Montpellier, and is known for its two massive pillars supporting its exquisite main porch. The site is open from Mondays to Saturdays from 9 am to 7 pm, and on Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm.
MARE NOSTRUM AQUARIUM: Dive into the water world
You can head under the sea without getting wet at the Mare Nostrum Aquarium (Carrefour de Londres, Odysseum, 34000 Montpellier, France, 04 67 13 05 50, website). It is the newest aquarium in Montpellier, and is a major tourist draw. It is a site designed to take you into an aquatic universe, from the tropics to the high seas. You can find 24 pools there, each connected by over 5,000 square meters of pathways. They are home to around 3,500 sea creatures of nearly 300 different species, which are presented to visitors in creative and novel ways.
The site is open from Sundays to Thursdays from 10 am to 7 pm and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 8 pm from September to June. During the months of July and August, it is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm. Admission will cost you around €12.50.
JARDIN DES PLANTES: Have a botanical visit
Another noteworthy attraction in Montpellier is the Jardin des Plantes (163 Boulevard Henri IV 34000, +33 (0) 4 67 63 43 22, website). Also known as the Botanical Garden of Montpellier, it is the oldest of its kind in France, having been established back in 1593 under the decree of King Henry IV. Inside, you can visit its tropical greenhouse, the 19th century Orangerie, and the English Garden – all of which are filled with unique flora. The site is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 12 am during June to September; and from Tuesday to Sunday from 12 am to 6 pm during October to May. Admission is free.
Jardin des Plantes (Photo by O2)
NIGHTLIFE: Indulge in Montpellier’s vibrant nightlife scene
At night you may proceed to Montpellier’s bars and clubs to have a taste of the exciting nightlife of the city. One of the most popular is the Abbaye L’ (36 rue de l’Université, Montpellier, France 34000). It is a Parisian café popular among the city’s student populace, and is suited for night-long parties. A nice alternative is the AmerikClub (Promenade du Maréchal Leclerc, Montpellier, France 34200, +33 4 6753 0237, website), which is a sweet and sophisticated bar/restaurant serving innovative cocktails and delicious dishes.
You can also try out the Antirouille l’ (12 Rue Anatole France, Montpellier, France 34000, +33 4 6706 5168). It is one of the city’s most popular music bars, featuring daily concerts by local artists; music range from rock to reggae.
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