Montpellier Entertainment

A good way to spend your evening in Montpellier is to have a scrumptious meal at one of the local restaurants and head out for a night of fun. As a university town, Montpellier is lively at night, with a variety of music filling the cool air. Mingle with local students on weekends when DJs work magic on nightclub turntables.

Eating out

Food connoisseurs find Montpellier cuisine a gastronomic delight. If you are a big fan of top-class restaurants that only serve exquisite (albeit pricey) French food, head to the Pourcel twins’ Michelin-starred Jardin des Sens. Here, they serve only the best with generous portions. However, the restaurant is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Sundays, so plan well in advance.

Jardin des Sens has a sister restaurant, La Compagnie des Comptoirs, which provides good French flair with reasonable prices. Once you finish your meal, dance the night away at one of many clubs in the city centre, or try some Montpellier tapas at one of the bars.

Local cuisine

When you are in Montpellier, one of the things you shouldn’t, or rather cannot avoid, is French cuisine. As a cosmopolitan city, Montpellier boasts a wide variety of ethnic cuisines and traditional French food. If you prefer a quick grab, why not head over to one of the popular over-the-counter sandwich shops specialising in local kebabs.

Good, traditional French restaurants are scattered around near La Place de la Comedie in the heart of the city. Wash it all down with a glass of good but cheap rose or blush wine, the regional specialty. If you are brave enough, try the typical liquor of the south of France - Pastis, served with cold water.

Theatre and music

Music buffs and those into stage shows will be delighted to find special events organised from late June to early July. Expect a great selection of classical and modern dance performances that paint the city with vibrancy and colourful spirits during the Festival International Montpellier Dance. Orchestral music, jazz and opera shows are also one of the main highlights in late July during the Festival de Radio France et de Montpellier.

Shopping

If you want to shop for upscale products and clothing, the city centre is the best place to be. Wander around the main streets that lead away from the Place de la Comedie and find an array of high-end boutiques and luxurious shops.

For those not wanting to break the bank, there is a shopping centre called Polygone featuring a variety of stores. Alternatively, Sunday market at Mosson is also a great place to look for rare antiques and all kinds of goods including brand-name clothes, household stuff and bicycles.