A Travel Price Comparison for France Montpellier vs. Lyon for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Nightlife

Should you visit Montpellier or Lyon?

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 Lyon. 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 friendly, historic, and vibrant city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Lyon

Lyon is a beautiful, cultural, and quaint city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Montpellier and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Montpellier or Lyon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lyon than Montpellier, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Lyon is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Montpellier is known for its beaches. Lyon is more touristy than Montpellier and is known for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. It is also home to The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Montpellier is popular for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality.

How is Montpellier different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Lyon on the map. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

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.

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

Lyon 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 Lyon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

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 Lyon Better for Nightlife?

Lyon is a great destination for its evening party scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The people in Lyon know how to have a good time. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

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.

Is Montpellier or Lyon Better for Beaches?

Montpellier is a well-known place for the beache. However, Lyon is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Montpellier. 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.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

Is Montpellier or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the world-class old town areas in both Montpellier and Lyon.

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 Lyon can be explored in its historical center. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

Is the Shopping Better in Montpellier or Lyon?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Lyon and Montpellier.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Lyon. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

Is Montpellier or Lyon Better for Families?

Lyon is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Lyon is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

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.

Is Montpellier or Lyon Better for Couples?

Montpellier and Lyon both great destinations for a couple.

Couples visit Montpellier frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

Lyon is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

Is Montpellier or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montpellier and Lyon are great places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Montpellier is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

Lyon is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Is Montpellier or Lyon Better for Students?

Montpellier and Lyon are world-class places to visit for 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.

Many students frequent Lyon. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

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

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its public transit. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors in Lyon can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Visitors to Montpellier can move around easily with public transportation. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

Is Montpellier or Lyon a more walkable city?

Montpellier and Lyon both are great 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.

Lyon is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Montpellier?

How long in Montpellier or Lyon?

In either Montpellier or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Lyon than Montpellier because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Montpellier, and 2-5 days is enough time in Lyon.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon than Montpellier 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 Lyon.

One day in Montpellier or Lyon?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Montpellier. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Lyon is a historic city where you can fill many days. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Lyon?

Montpellier is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Lyon is a historic big city where you can fill many days. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city 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 Lyon?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Montpellier. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Lyon is a cultural city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Montpellier or Lyon?

The beautiful city of Montpellier offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lyon. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

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 Lyon, we can see that Lyon 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 Lyon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Montpellier or Lyon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 90% larger than the population of Montpellier. When comparing the sizes of Montpellier and Lyon, 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 Lyon?

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 Lyon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montpellier and Lyon. Many visitors come to Montpellier in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Montpellier is generally around the same temperature as Lyon. Daily temperatures in Montpellier average around 23°C (73°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lyon this time of the year. In Montpellier, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montpellier usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during summer. Montpellier gets 351 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Montpellier usually receives less rain than Lyon. Montpellier gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Montpellier or Lyon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Montpellier as well as Lyon. Most visitors come to Montpellier for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Montpellier is a little warmer than Lyon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montpellier averages around 15°C (60°F) in October, and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Montpellier often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Montpellier gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun.

Montpellier receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montpellier usually gets more rain in October than Lyon. Montpellier gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montpellier or Lyon in the Winter?

Both Lyon and Montpellier are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lyon in the winter. In the winter, Montpellier is much warmer than Lyon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montpellier in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Lyon averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Montpellier usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during winter. Montpellier gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Montpellier usually receives more rain than Lyon. Montpellier gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Montpellier or Lyon in the Spring?

Both Lyon and Montpellier during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

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

It's quite sunny in Montpellier. In the spring, Montpellier often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Montpellier gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun.

Montpellier usually gets less rain in April than Lyon. Montpellier gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Montpellier