Our Hotels in Montpellier
Points of interest
Montpellier
For families, the natural beauty of the Mediterranean coast beckons. Meanwhile, wine connoisseurs can't help but be impressed by the world-renowned viticulture of the Languedoc region, to which Montpellier historically belonged. Here, wine-making techniques and traditions date back to the Roman era – and today, the region is responsible for roughly a third of French wine output. Although it's especially famous for its reds, interesting white and rosé varietals can also be sampled in Montpellier's many bars and restaurants.
Whether you're planning a romantic summer holiday, a weekend break in search of some mid-winter sunshine, or a last-minute business trip, Accor offers some of the best hotels in Montpellier for every kind of traveller.
A City of Architectural Wonders
Peyrou Walk is the perfect place to begin your walking tour of Montpellier. Commissioned by King Louis XIV in the 17th century, this beautiful park and promenade was once the place to see and be seen for the French aristocracy. Now, visitors come to walk hand-in-hand beneath the sycamore trees, or to admire elevated views of the city and distant coastline. Be sure to keep an eye out for the promenade's iconic monuments, including an equestrian statue of the Sun King himself, the Porte du Peyrou (Montpellier's own Arc de Triomphe), and the grandiose water fountain known as Château d'Eau.
Another of Montpellier's most famous landmarks is also visible from the park – the wonderfully photogenic Saint-Clement Aqueduct, which connects the Château d'Eau to a natural spring some 14 kilometres away. Next, make your way to Montpellier Cathedral. Instantly recognisable by the colossal twin cylinders that flank its entrance, this majestic place of worship was first built as a monastery chapel in the 14th century, but attained cathedral status in 1536. It is not the same church that graces the old Montpellier crest, however – that is Notre Dame des Tables, a 9th-century landmark destroyed during the French Wars of Religion.
Cultural Attractions Both Old and New
Montpellier is also the ideal destination for lovers of the arts. At the Fabre Museum, discover an extensive fine art collection housed in a former Jesuit college. The paintings alone span several centuries of the greatest European masters – including famed French artists such as Courbet and Delacroix. Audio tours are available in English as well as French, to ensure you get the most out of your visit. Prefer the performing arts? Check the calendar of the opulent 19th-century Opéra Comedie theatre to see which plays, concerts and dance shows are scheduled during your visit.
The theatre stands on Place de la Comédie, Montpellier's central square. If you wish to immerse yourself in the city's contemporary culture, while away a few hours people-watching by the statue of the Three Graces, enjoying the talented street artists and performers, or sipping apéritifs at one of many pavement cafés. Marché du Lez offers a similar vibe. Housed in a collection of renovated agricultural and industrial buildings on the banks of the Lez river, its colourful stalls offer antiques, vintage clothing and quirky artworks. When it's time to take a break from your shopping spree, sit down at an open-air table to share a meal from one of the market's global food trucks.
Plenty for Families and Nature Lovers
A Montpellier holiday isn't all about urban attractions, however. Planet Ocean aquarium gives visitors the chance for close encounters with various denizens of the deep, including sharks, rays and penguins. It's an especially popular choice for families, with interactive displays for kids including a large touch pool and a simulator that lets them experience what it's like to be aboard a cargo ship during an offshore storm. Want to dip your toes in the real-life ocean? The Mediterranean coast is just half an hour away by car, with some of the best beaches near Montpellier including Petit Travers, Grand Travers and Sunset Beach. All three offer long stretches of white sand for idyllic days of sunbathing, swimming and building sandcastles. Can't drag yourselves away? Our selection of Montpellier beach hotels means you don't have to.
If you have time to explore further afield, the Camargue Regional Nature Park is only an hour away. There, you'll discover breathtakingly beautiful salt flats, marshes, and of course, the region's world-famous wild horses.
Dining and Drinking in Montpellier
Montpellier has a reputation for diversity when it comes to its culinary offerings, thanks in large part to its history as a safe haven for migrants. As such, you can sample food from all over the world – and yet, some of the best restaurants in Montpellier stand out for their traditional Languedoc fare. Seafood is a highlight, with specialties including stuffed squid and mussels, and tielle, an octopus and tomato pie from nearby Sète. Seasonal game such as wild boar and partridge also feature on the menu of farm-to-table establishments, while the signature Languedoc dish is cassoulet – a hearty stew of white beans and pork or mutton, slow-cooked for melt-in-the-mouth tenderness.
When it comes to beverages, the entire Languedoc region is globally renowned for its wines. The reds and rosés of the Pic Saint-Loup appellation are a particular specialty in Montpellier. Named for the mountain on whose lower slopes the vineyards are found, you can sample them on a "walk Pic Saint-Loup" wine tasting tour or at any self-respecting wine bar in Montpellier. If you choose to visit just one local vineyard, we recommend the gorgeous Château de Flaugergues, an 18th-century castle in the Quartier Millénaire that's as well known for its fine tapestries, artworks and furniture as it is for its sommelier-led tasting experiences.
Best Hotels in Montpellier, France
From Montpellier luxury hotels with rooftop pools and gourmet restaurants, to affordable hotels in Montpellier city centre, Accor has options to suit your specific accommodation requirements. For a 4-star hotel in Montpellier, choose Mercure Montpellier Centre Comédie Hotel (located within easy walking distance of Place de la Comédie, with multiple meeting rooms and an al fresco regional restaurant) or Mercure Montpellier Centre Antigone Hotel. The latter, with its generous two-bedroom suites, is the ideal hotel for family holidays in Montpellier.
On the more affordable end of the spectrum is ibis budget Montpellier Centre Millénaire, a 2-star property with free WiFi and secure parking on the eastern edge of the city centre. Alternatively, the recently renovated hotelF1 Montpellier Sud combines contemporary style with a convenient location just 10 minutes from the airport and the region's Mediterranean beaches. Looking for a Montpellier spa hotel with a swimming pool and massage services? Stay a little further out at the ibis in nearby Balaruc-les-Bains.
Getting to Montpellier
In addition to enjoying excellent road connections, Montpellier is easy to access via public transport. Saint Roch train station (known locally as Gare de Montpellier Saint Roch) offers regional TER and long-distance TGV services to destinations across France. You can even travel internationally to Barcelona or Madrid. Those who prefer to fly can do so via Montpellier–Méditerranée Airport, which has direct connections to 12 domestic destinations including Paris, Bordeaux, Lille and Nantes, as well as many other countries across Europe and North Africa. Looking for a hotel near Montpellier airport ahead of a red-eye arrival or early departure? Accor offers affordable options within a two-minute drive, with the benefit of a free airport shuttle service.