A Travel Price Comparison for France Montpellier vs. Chartres for Attractions, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Montpellier or Chartres?

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 Chartres. 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 bustling, beautiful, and friendly city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Chartres

Chartres is a spectacular, historic, and grand town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Other popular activities here include food and museums.

Montpellier and Chartres: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Montpellier or Chartres?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Montpellier. Although Montpellier and Chartres are both popular with visitors, Montpellier has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Montpellier is more popular for its museums, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Chartres is known for its small town charm. Montpellier is popular for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality. It is also home to The Place de la Comédie. Chartres is popular for its beautiful cathedral and long running history.

How is Montpellier different from Chartres?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Chartres 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 Chartres?

Montpellier is great for its historical sights. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Montpellier offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Chartres. Most visitors make the trip to see the spectacular Gothic cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame. It was completed in 1220 and is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Montpellier and Chartres can be an enjoyable experience.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Montpellier area. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Chartres. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Montpellier or Chartres Better for Nightlife?

Montpellier is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Montpellier has a few options to choose from. 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.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Montpellier or Chartres Better for Beaches?

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

Montpellier is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Chartres is not a beach destination.

Is Montpellier or Chartres Better for its Old Town?

Montpellier is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Chartres does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Montpellier can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Montpellier or Chartres?

Montpellier is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Montpellier is well-known for its shopping. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Montpellier or Chartres Better for Families?

Montpellier is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Montpellier offers lots of family activities. 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.

Chartres is not the most family-friendly destination. The main attraction in town is the cathedral, but the surrounding area is also filled with history. This may not keep your kids entertained for long, so you can also check out the Stained Glass Museum, La Tanière (a zoo), or one of the parks around town.

Is Montpellier or Chartres Better for Couples?

Montpellier is great for its romantic activities. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for couples.

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.

Chartres is a good city for couples to visit. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Is Montpellier or Chartres Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montpellier is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Montpellier. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

Chartres is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's easy enough to visit as a day trip from Paris, so backpackers and other tourists typically allow themselves a few hours to explore.

Is Montpellier or Chartres Better for Students?

Montpellier is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Montpellier. 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.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Montpellier and Chartres.

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

Visitors to Chartres can move around easily with public transportation. There are trains that leave Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2 every half hour and travel to Chartres. The trip takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Is Montpellier or Chartres a more walkable city?

Montpellier and Chartres both are superb when exploring on foot.

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

Chartres is very walkable. It's easy to see the sights around town on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Chartres or Montpellier?

How long in Montpellier or Chartres?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Montpellier or Chartres to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Montpellier than Chartres because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Montpellier, and 1-2 days is enough time in Chartres.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Montpellier than Chartres 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 Chartres?

The beautiful city of Montpellier offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the food and museums when visiting the historic town of Chartres. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Montpellier or Chartres?

Montpellier is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Montpellier, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the historic destination of Chartres. 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 Chartres?

Montpellier is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The historic town of Chartres offers food and museums. 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 Chartres?

Montpellier is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Chartres. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 comparing the travel costs between Montpellier and Chartres, we can see that Montpellier is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Montpellier or Chartres?

Montpellier has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Montpellier and Chartres, 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 Chartres?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Montpellier or Chartres in the Summer?

Both Chartres and Montpellier during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Chartres for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Montpellier is generally a little warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Montpellier average around 23°C (73°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Chartres, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montpellier. In the summer, Montpellier often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Montpellier gets 351 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 239 hours of full sun.

Montpellier usually gets less rain in July than Chartres. Montpellier gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montpellier or Chartres in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montpellier and Chartres. Many travelers come to Montpellier for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Chartres in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.

Montpellier is a little warmer than Chartres in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montpellier averages around 15°C (60°F) in October, and Chartres fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Montpellier usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during autumn. Montpellier gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Montpellier gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montpellier usually receives more rain than Chartres. Montpellier gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Montpellier or Chartres in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Montpellier as well as Chartres. Many visitors come to Montpellier in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Chartres for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Chartres can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Montpellier is a little warmer than Chartres. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montpellier in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Chartres averages at about 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Montpellier often gets more sunshine than Chartres. Montpellier gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chartres receives 56 hours of full sun.

Montpellier usually gets more rain in January than Chartres. Montpellier gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montpellier or Chartres in the Spring?

Both Chartres and Montpellier are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Montpellier for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town charm.

In April, Montpellier is generally a little warmer than Chartres. Daily temperatures in Montpellier average around 13°C (55°F), and Chartres fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. Montpellier usually receives more sunshine than Chartres during spring. Montpellier gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Chartres receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Montpellier usually receives more rain than Chartres. Montpellier gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Chartres receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Chartres and Montpellier