Are you thinking about visiting Montpellier, France? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Montpellier worth visiting?
Yes, it's worth visiting this city for one to three days because of the many great activities. Montpellier is a town that's slightly inland from the southern French coast. The town is known for its cathedrals and and grand boulevards. It has a laid back atmosphere that makes a perfect place to explore for a day or two.
Montpelllier, France
Reasons to Visit Montpellier
Historical Sights
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.
Museums
With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.
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.
Shopping
Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.
Food
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.
Nightlife
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.
Authenticity
Montpellier has an authentic vibe where you can experience local culture, cuisine, and activities without the large tourist crowds of other popular destinations.
Is Montpellier worth visiting in the Summer?
Summer is the high season for travel in Montpellier, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is fairly touristy, and in the high season it's busier than usual.
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 23°C (73°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 28°C (83°F).
Visiting the nearby beaches is one of the most popular things to do this time of year, so give yourself some time to enjoy the waves and sand. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to lounge on the beach, spend time at the museums, and browse around the old town. Also, you'll be able to take advantage of the local nightlife.
Summer Weather in Montpellier
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 23°C (73°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| August | 22°C (72°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| September | 19°C (67°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Is Montpellier worth visiting in the Autumn?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Montpellier. This destination is somewhat busy with tourists, but in the shoulder season you'll find less crowds and better deals.
Keep in mind that it can be fairly rainy during autumn, and temperatures hover around 15°C (60°F).
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. During this season it's fun to experience the beautiful scenery, the historic old town, and the museums and landmarks.
Autumn Weather in Montpellier
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 15°C (60°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| November | 10°C (51°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| December | 7°C (45°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Is Montpellier worth visiting in the Winter?
The weather in Montpellier can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 7°C (44°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
The low season for travel in Montpellier is during the winter. This destination is fairly touristy, but in the low season you can find fewer crowds and better deals.
You'll like that you can take public transit easily in the winter, too. You can get around quickly while avoiding bad weather if needed. This is a great time of year to wander through the museums, dine out at amazing restaurants, and admire the historic sights. Also, you can grab some drinks at a bar.
Winter Weather in Montpellier
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 7°C (44°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| February | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| March | 10°C (50°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
Is Montpellier worth visiting in the Spring?
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Montpellier. This destination is somewhat busy with tourists, but in the shoulder season you'll find less crowds and better deals.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 13°C (55°F).
The scenery of the town this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to find the best deals at the shops, browse through museums, and admire the wonderful scenery. Also, you can check out the historic old town and the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Montpellier
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| June | 20°C (68°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
Related
What is Montpellier most famous for?
Montpellier is most famous for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality. The city is very popular for its historical sights. Also, it's known for museums, beaches, and shopping. Many people love the food and nightlife, too. It is often described as historic, vibrant, bustling, beautiful, and friendly.
What is the most famous sight in Montpellier?
The most popular sight in Montpellier is The Place de la Comédie. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Montpellier on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Place de la Comédie and other attractions here.
How touristy is Montpellier? Is it a popular city to visit?
Montpellier is more popular with local tourists than with international visitors. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Small-Group Half-Day Languedoc Wine and Oyster Tour from Montpellier: $94
- Legendary Montpellier, flexible legends and storytelling tour: $16
- Montpellier Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $269
- CityTour and Photo Portraits Souvenirs in Montpellier: $38
- Winetour & food experience in Pic St Loup: $106
- Private Half-Day Languedoc Wine and Oyster Tour from Sète: $239
- Small-Group Half-Day Languedoc Wine and Olive Tour from Montpellier: $79
- Private 2-hour Walking Tour of the Historical Center of Montpellier: $161
How long should I spend in Montpellier?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Montpellier is one to three days. Since Montpellier has a variety of activities such as historical sights, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Montpellier?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Montpellier?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Montpellier?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.