Things to do in Montpellier

Full of hearty spirits, students and friendly locals, Montpellier welcomes visitors to its old world charm and beautiful natural surroundings. Montpellier is a city you should explore by wandering around rather than making a beeline from one place to another. Scattered around the city are hidden courtyards and gorgeous gardens. The art museum will please artsy tourists, while a relaxing stroll around the university offers an insight into what it is like to study in an old, world-renowned institution with a romantic ambiance.

Les Jardins des Plantes

Also known as the Botanical Garden, this lovely area is perfect for nature lovers and inspired gardeners. The garden is marked as the first botanical garden in the country, created by Pierre Richer de Belleval in 1593. Walk into a variety of beautiful creations such as a bamboo garden, tropical greenhouses and a gorgeous orangery, and be amazed at the number of exotic species of plants.

Fabre Museum

Home to a great selection of art masterpieces by Dutch, Flemish, Italian, Spanish and French painters from the 17th to the 19th centuries, the popular Fabre Museum was founded in 1825 by local painter François-Xavier Fabre. Apart from magnificent paintings, the museum also features a variety of sculptures and ceramics. A must-visit place for those with artistic spirits, the museum is conveniently located close to the city’s main square.

Arc de la Triomphe

Locals know the place by the name of Porte du Peyrou, but tourists usually call it the Arc de la Triomphe. Designed by the Languedoc architect Charles-Augustin Daliver, the arch borrowed its main features from the model of the famous Porte Saint-Denis in Paris and is no less exquisite. Boasting distinctive Doric style, the arch also glorifies King Louis XIV of France through marvelous carvings of major events.

Promenade du Peyrou

Locals and students usually flock to this terraced 17th and 18th century promenade to meet up and relax in the sun. This is where the Arc de la Triomphe is situated so you can’t miss it. Check out a famous water tower and panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea from the promenade, or observe an exquisite 14th century cathedral built in the Gothic style. There are also many elegant large houses to drool over. The promenade also makes an ideal place for people-watching.

University of Montpellier

A visit to a university town is not complete with a tour at the university. The University of Montpellier was founded in 1220 and is renowned for its medical school. It is thought that the medical schools were established by the Moors and date back to the 9th century. Explore the university from which Nostradamus qualified as a doctor and where Petrarch also stayed for 7 years. Take a walk around the buildings and feel the medieval atmosphere while checking out the energetic students.

Flaugergues Castle

Those travelling with children should make a stop at the Flaugergues Castle, a charming old castle constructed in the 17th century. An array of ancient furniture and artworks dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries fill the interior with an air of mysterious romance. There are formal French gardens where wine-tasting receptions await. The castle also has its own cellar, so you can check out their latest innovations.