Things to do in Montpellier, France for art & architecture lovers

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Montpellier has a quiet kind of elegance. The historic centre is mostly pedestrianised, its small streets folding gently around sunlit squares where café tables spill out across the paving. Ribbons are strung between balconies and small shops selling soaps, books and baskets line the winding streets. Its old-world charm is set against remarkable architectural landmarks, from the Arc de Triomphe to the aquaduct. And it is home to several excellent art museums that make it much more than just pretty streets.

Why visit Montpellier?

Montpellier is a refined and quietly vibrant city in the south of France, just a few kilometres from the Mediterranean coast. It has long been a centre of learning, home to one of the oldest medical schools in Europe, and its historic streets still carry the feel of a scholarly, cultured city. While not as widely known as its Provençal neighbours, Montpellier has a rich architectural heritage, shaped by its medieval past and periods of 17th and 18th-century growth.

I often pass through Montpellier on the way to other places — Provence, the Camargue, or the wider Occitanie region — but have enjoyed getting to know the city on its own terms. It makes an ideal base for countryside stays or day trips to nearby villages and coastal towns, but it’s also somewhere that rewards a slower pace. Even a single day or a leisurely weekend can be enough to appreciate its atmosphere, with time to wander, pause in the squares, and take in the architecture.

Where to stay in Montpellier

Here are my picks of hotels with a charming or authentic vibe. Good news about Montpellier - it is quite affordable. All cost around £100.

• Grand Hôtel du Midi Montpellier - Sleek and upscale in the Comedie square.

• Hotel du Palais - charming boutique hotel

• Best Western Hotel Le Guilhem - comfortable and charming terrace for breakfast

The best things to do in Montpellier

Rue du Bras de Fer

Wander the historic streets

One of the nicest ways to start getting to know Montpellier is simply by walking. The historic centre, known as the Écusson, is full of narrow lanes, stone facades, and shady squares that open unexpectedly between buildings. Streets like Rue du Bras de Fer, Rue de l’Ancien Courrier, and Rue de la Vieille are full of charm, with independent shops and little cafés tucked into old buildings. The architecture is a blend of medieval and classical, and the faded shutters and warm-toned stone make everything feel sun-soaked.

Rue du Bras de Fer in particular stood out to me as one of the most beautiful streets in the city—narrow and winding, with a distinctive wrought-iron sign overhead and a perfect mix of cafés, secondhand bookshops, and flower stalls. It has a slightly tucked-away feel, but it’s easily one of the most photogenic corners of Montpellier.

Rue Vallat and Boulevard du Jeu de Paume are good routes to follow as you explore, and it’s worth taking your time without too much of a plan. I found the mornings particularly lovely, before the city gets busy.

Visit the Musée Fabre

Montpellier’s main art museum, the Musée Fabre, is located just off the Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle and holds an impressive collection that spans from the Renaissance to the present day. Founded in 1825 by painter François-Xavier Fabre, the museum has grown into one of the most important regional art institutions in France. It’s housed in a 19th-century building, later extended and renovated to add more contemporary spaces. The soaring ceilings and natural light give a sense of airiness that enhances the colours and textures of the works on display. I particularly enjoyed the mix of 19th-century French painting and more recent contemporary pieces, which are often placed in dialogue across rooms in a way that feels carefully considered.

Promenade du Peyrou

This formal promenade at the western edge of the old city has some of the best views in Montpellier. It’s laid out around a grand central space with a statue of Louis XIV, framed by the Arc de Triomphe and the ornate Château d’Eau. From the terrace, you can see out over the surrounding countryside, and the walk along the aqueduct is particularly peaceful. It makes a nice break from the busier parts of town.

Arc de Triomphe (Porte du Peyrou)

Built in the late 17th century to honour Louis XIV, Montpellier’s Arc de Triomphe marks the entrance to the Promenade du Peyrou. It replaced an old city gate and was modelled on Paris’s Porte Saint-Denis, with sculpted panels depicting moments from the king’s reign.

Place de la Canourgue

Place de la Canourgue is just a few minutes from Peyrou and has a completely different feel: leafy and quiet, with garden benches and a view of the cathedral spires behind the trees. There are a few good spots for lunch or a drink here, and it felt like one of the calmer places to stop. It’s also a nice point to pause on a walk through the old town.

Saint-Pierre Cathedral

Just behind the square is Montpellier’s cathedral, originally part of a 14th-century monastery and later transformed into a cathedral during the 16th century. The building is striking, with a massive vaulted porch supported by twin pillars, and a rather fortress-like exterior. Inside, the towering nave and vaulted ceilings create a dramatic vertical space, and the stained glass windows scatter soft, colourful light across the stone floor. Entry is free.

Explore MO.CO. and contemporary art spaces

MO.CO. (Montpellier Contemporain) is the city’s main centre for contemporary art and has two sites worth visiting: MO.CO. Hôtel des Collections and MO.CO. Panacée. Both are walkable from the old town. Exhibitions change regularly and often include big names or interesting international artists. The spaces themselves are also beautifully done—Panacée has a courtyard café and relaxed atmosphere.

If you’re interested in contemporary art, it’s worth checking the exhibition calendar in advance to see what’s on.

Jardin des Plantes

Montpellier’s Jardin des Plantes is the oldest botanical garden in France, founded in the late 16th century to support the city’s medical faculty. Originally created for the study of medicinal plants, it’s now a peaceful public space just a short walk from the old town. The garden covers several hectares, with winding paths, shaded benches, and a surprisingly varied collection of trees, herbs, and exotic plants.

It’s free to visit and never felt crowded when I stopped by. The layout still hints at its scientific origins, but it also works perfectly as a place to slow down and escape the heat. I liked the slightly overgrown feel in places—it’s not overly manicured, which gives it a more lived-in charm. It’s easy to imagine students and botanists wandering here in the past, and it still retains that quiet sense of purpose.

Shop local at Marché des Arceaux

Held twice a week under the arches of the aqueduct, Marché des Arceaux is one of Montpellier’s best food and flower markets. It has a very local feel, and the setting is striking—stalls stretch out along the arches, and the rhythm of the structure makes it especially photogenic. There are fresh vegetables, cheese and charcuterie, plants, and baked goods. It’s open Tuesday and Saturday mornings.

Trompe-l’œil murals

As you walk through Montpellier, keep an eye out for the trompe-l’œil murals scattered around the city. These large-scale painted façades often blend seamlessly into the architecture, tricking the eye into seeing windows, balconies, or figures that aren’t really there. One of the best-known examples is on Rue de l’Aiguillerie, where a multi-storey painting shows imagined residents leaning out of windows, reading, or hanging laundry. Another favourite is near Place Saint-Roch, where an entire side of a building is painted to mirror the street scene opposite.

Place de la Comédie

Montpellier’s central square is where everything seems to meet. It’s a busy, open space lined with cafés and dominated by the Opéra Comédie. While it’s not a quiet spot, it has that buzz of daily life that makes it a good place to sit with a coffee and watch the city move around you. The fountain in the centre and the Haussmann-style facades surrounding it give the square a theatrical feel.

University of Montpellier and Faculty of Medicine

Just next to the cathedral is the oldest medical school in the world still in operation. If you’re interested in history, it’s worth taking a guided tour to see the old anatomy theatre, library, and pharmacy collections. Tours don’t run every day, so it’s worth checking ahead, but it’s one of the more unusual and atmospheric places to visit.

La Tour de la Babote

A remnant of Montpellier’s medieval fortifications, this tower is tucked between more modern buildings but still gives a sense of the city’s past. You can’t always go inside, but it’s interesting to see and worth including on a self-guided walk around the historic centre.

Planning a trip to Montpellier

Montpellier is compact and easy to explore on foot. You can comfortably see most of the central sights in a day or weekend, and there are lots of lovely places to visit nearby. I often pass through on the way to Occitanie, but I’ve found it a lovely city to spend time in on its own. If you have tips or favourite places in Montpellier, I’d love to hear them.

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