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

Should you visit Toulouse or Montpellier?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Toulouse and Montpellier can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a vibrant, friendly, and relaxed city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a historic, vibrant, and bustling city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Toulouse and Montpellier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulouse or Montpellier?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Toulouse than Montpellier. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Toulouse is very popular for its food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Montpellier attracts visitors for its beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Montpellier is more touristy than Toulouse and is popular for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality. Toulouse is famous for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine. It is also well known for Basilique Saint-Sernin.

How is Toulouse different from Montpellier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of very good museums and attractions in both Montpellier and Toulouse.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Toulouse. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

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.

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

Toulouse 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 Toulouse, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

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 Toulouse or Montpellier Better for Nightlife?

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

The people in Toulouse know how to have a good time. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

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 Toulouse or Montpellier Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at Montpellier attract visitors from all over. 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.

Toulouse is not a beach destination.

Is Toulouse or Montpellier Better for its Old Town?

Montpellier is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its 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.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Toulouse. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulouse or Montpellier?

If you're looking to go shopping, Toulouse and Montpellier both offer plenty of very good spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Toulouse. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

Montpellier is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Toulouse or Montpellier Better for Families?

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

Toulouse is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

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 Toulouse or Montpellier Better for Couples?

Both Toulouse and Montpellier are very good destinations for a couple's getaway.

Toulouse is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

Montpellier is a very popular place to visit for couples. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

Is Toulouse or Montpellier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montpellier is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse is not a good destination for backpackers.

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

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Toulouse or Montpellier Better for Students?

Montpellier is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Montpellier is a very popular city 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.

Toulouse is a good city to visit for students. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

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

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

Montpellier offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

Toulouse has a few public transit options. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

Is Toulouse or Montpellier a more walkable city?

Toulouse and Montpellier are very good when it comes to walkability.

Toulouse is a very walkable destination. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

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 Toulouse Worth Visiting? and Is Montpellier Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Montpellier or Toulouse?

How long in Toulouse or Montpellier?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Toulouse and Montpellier. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Toulouse than in Montpellier. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Toulouse, and 1-3 days is enough time in Montpellier.

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

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

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Toulouse. 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.

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.

A weekend in Toulouse or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the relaxed destination of Toulouse. 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.

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.

Five days in Toulouse or Montpellier?

The historic city of Toulouse 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.

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.

A week in Toulouse or Montpellier?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Toulouse. 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Toulouse and Montpellier, we can see that Toulouse 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 Toulouse Expensive? and Is Montpellier Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Toulouse or Montpellier?

Toulouse has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Montpellier. When comparing the sizes of Toulouse and Montpellier, 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 Toulouse or Montpellier?

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 Toulouse or Montpellier in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Toulouse as well as Montpellier. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Toulouse this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Montpellier for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Toulouse is around the same temperature as Montpellier in the summer. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Montpellier fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulouse this time of the year. In the summer, Toulouse often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Toulouse gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun.

Toulouse usually gets more rain in July than Montpellier. Toulouse gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Montpellier in the Autumn?

Both Montpellier and Toulouse are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Toulouse for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Montpellier in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Toulouse is around the same temperature as Montpellier. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Toulouse in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Montpellier averages at about 15°C (60°F).

Toulouse usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during autumn. Toulouse gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. In October, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Toulouse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulouse or Montpellier in the Winter?

Both Montpellier and Toulouse during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Toulouse in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Montpellier for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Toulouse is generally around the same temperature as Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 6°C (44°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Toulouse often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Toulouse gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Toulouse or Montpellier in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulouse and Montpellier. Most visitors come to Toulouse for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Toulouse is around the same temperature as Montpellier in the spring. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Montpellier fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

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

In April, Toulouse usually receives more rain than Montpellier. Toulouse gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Toulouse