A Travel Price Comparison for France Montpellier vs. Beaune for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Montpellier or Beaune?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Montpellier and Beaune. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a vibrant, bustling, and beautiful city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Beaune

Beaune is a culinary, quaint, and vineyard-filled town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Montpellier and Beaune: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Montpellier or Beaune?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Montpellier. Although Montpellier and Beaune are both popular with visitors, Montpellier has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Montpellier is more popular for its beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Beaune is known for its food and small town charm. Beaune is more touristy than Montpellier and is known for its surrounding vineyards and world-renowned wines. Montpellier is popular for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality. It is also home to The Place de la Comédie.

How is Montpellier different from Beaune?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Beaune and Montpellier. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Montpellier or Beaune?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Montpellier or Beaune.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Montpellier. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

Beaune offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Top sights and museums around town include Hôtel-Dieu (a former hospital), Château de Savigny, and Château de la Rochepot.

Is the Food Better in Montpellier or Beaune? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Beaune is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Beaune, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The restaurant scene is made up of small, narrow, local bistros that serve local dishes with regional ingredients. Many of the menus are focused on wine with the dishes designed specifically to compliment the wines. This is a tourist town, and you'll find many visitors come specifically to enjoy the French cuisine.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Montpellier. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Montpellier or Beaune Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Montpellier or Beaune has a better nightlife scene.

Montpellier has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

If you're looking for night time activities Beaune has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs as well as many places to sip French wine and enjoy the evening.

Is Montpellier or Beaune Better for Beaches?

Montpellier is a great destination for the beache. However, Beaune is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Montpellier for it's beautiful beaches. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

Beaune is not a beach destination.

Is Montpellier or Beaune Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the terrific old town areas in both Montpellier and Beaune.

With a famous historical old-town, Montpellier offers plenty to see. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

The rich history of Beaune can be explored in its historical center. The old town is walled and compact. It is centered around the medieval hospital complex and it is filled with cobblestone streets and shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Montpellier or Beaune?

Montpellier is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Montpellier is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Beaune has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Boutiques, wine shops, and independent vendors are fun to explore in town.

Is Montpellier or Beaune Better for Families?

Both Montpellier and Beaune are good family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Montpellier. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Beaune offers lots of family activities. The town has museums like Hospices de Beaune, Hotel-Dieu (a formal hospital), as well as vineyards that you can hike through. Many people enjoy taking a hot air balloon ride while they're in the region.

Is Montpellier or Beaune Better for Couples?

Beaune is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Beaune is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples will enjoy exploring vineyards, sipping French wine, and wandering through the charming old town. There are breathtaking hot air balloon rides and wonderful French restaurants that make for a romantic trip.

Montpellier is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

Is Montpellier or Beaune Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montpellier is a great destination for backpackers. However, Beaune is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Montpellier is a great city to visit for backpackers. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

Beaune is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a charming town, but it's not on many backpacker's itineraries. There are also a limited number of hostels to choose from.

Is Montpellier or Beaune Better for Students?

Montpellier is terrific for students. However, Beaune is not popular with students.

Montpellier is a very popular place to visit for students. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

Beaune is not popular with students.

Is Montpellier or Beaune Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Montpellier is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Montpellier can get you around easily. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

While Beaune offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While you can walk around the historic center, it's possible to take a bus if you're traveling further.

Is Montpellier or Beaune a more walkable city?

Beaune is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Beaune on foot is easy. It's a walkable town that's perfect for taking a stroll.

Montpellier is very walkable. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

For even more information, also check out Is Montpellier Worth Visiting? and Is Beaune Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Beaune or Montpellier?

How long in Montpellier or Beaune?

It's fun to spend time in either Montpellier or Beaune. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Beaune due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Montpellier, and 2-4 days is enough time in Beaune.

Families should spend more time in Beaune than Montpellier. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Beaune, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Beaune than Montpellier. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Beaune that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Montpellier than Beaune if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Montpellier.

One day in Montpellier or Beaune?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Montpellier. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vineyard-filled town of Beaune. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Most people visit for the food. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Montpellier or Beaune?

Montpellier is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the culinary destination of Beaune. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Montpellier or Beaune?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Montpellier. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The vineyard-filled town of Beaune offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Montpellier or Beaune?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Montpellier. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Beaune. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people visit for the food. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in France, The Best River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montpellier and Beaune, we can see that Beaune is more expensive. And not only is Montpellier much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Montpellier would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montpellier and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Beaune would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Beaune than you might in Montpellier.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montpellier Expensive? and Is Beaune Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Montpellier or Beaune?

Montpellier has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Beaune. When comparing the sizes of Montpellier and Beaune, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Montpellier or Beaune?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Montpellier or Beaune in the Summer?

Both Beaune and Montpellier are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beaune this time of year.

In July, Montpellier is generally around the same temperature as Beaune. Daily temperatures in Montpellier average around 23°C (73°F), and Beaune fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Beaune. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. Montpellier usually receives more sunshine than Beaune during summer. Montpellier gets 351 hours of sunny skies, while Beaune receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Montpellier usually receives less rain than Beaune. Montpellier gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Montpellier or Beaune in the Autumn?

Both Beaune and Montpellier during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Beaune for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

Montpellier is a little warmer than Beaune in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montpellier averages around 15°C (60°F) in October, and Beaune fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Montpellier often gets more sunshine than Beaune. Montpellier gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaune receives 121 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. Montpellier usually gets more rain in October than Beaune. Montpellier gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montpellier or Beaune in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montpellier and Beaune. Many travelers come to Montpellier for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Beaune in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Beaune can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Montpellier is much warmer than Beaune. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montpellier in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Beaune averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Montpellier usually receives more sunshine than Beaune during winter. Montpellier gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Beaune receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Montpellier usually receives more rain than Beaune. Montpellier gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Montpellier or Beaune in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Montpellier as well as Beaune. Many visitors come to Montpellier in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Beaune for the small town charm during these months.

In April, Montpellier is generally around the same temperature as Beaune. Daily temperatures in Montpellier average around 13°C (55°F), and Beaune fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montpellier this time of the year. In the spring, Montpellier often gets more sunshine than Beaune. Montpellier gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaune receives 178 hours of full sun.

Montpellier usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Beaune. Montpellier gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Beaune and Montpellier