Montpellier brings together art collections, botanical history and architecture, each with a different focus. This helps you tailor your trip to your interests and then look for a hotel in Montpellier, without having to squeeze every attraction into a single itinerary.

Art collections with different focuses

The Musée Fabre offers a tour through European art history from the Renaissance to the present day. Artists represented include Veronese, Rubens, Delacroix, Courbet and Soulages. Pierre Soulages’s paintings form a special part of the collection: Pierre and Colette Soulages donated a substantial group of his paintings to the museum in 2005.

The Musée Atger takes a different approach. It is Montpellier’s oldest museum and holds around 1,000 drawings and 5,000 prints from the French, Italian and Flemish artistic traditions. Compared with the Musée Fabre’s tour across different periods, the focus here is especially on drawings and prints. You can choose your art focus based on whether you want to explore different periods and artists or concentrate on particular graphic collections.

Architectural history and medical heritage

The Cathédrale Saint-Pierre is an example of southern French Gothic architecture. Its history can be traced through two distinct dates: the chapel of the collegiate monastery of Saint-Benoît and Saint-Germain was consecrated in 1364; in 1536, the building was elevated to cathedral status when the bishop’s seat was moved from Maguelone to Montpellier. The chapel’s consecration and its later elevation to a cathedral are therefore two separate milestones.

Montpellier’s medical history is also closely linked to its institutions. The University of Montpellier’s medical faculty is considered the oldest medical university; on 17 August 1220, it was granted the status of a Universitas medicorum. The Bibliothèque Historique Universitaire preserves medieval literary and religious manuscripts, as well as medical works by Hippocrates, Galen and Avicenna. Alongside the art collections, manuscripts and the history of medicine therefore offer distinct topics to explore.

Gardens, squares and views

The Jardin des Plantes is France’s oldest botanical garden. Pierre Richer de Belleval laid it out in 1593 on the orders of Henry IV, planting medicinal herbs to promote the study of medicine. Today, visitors can stroll among bamboo, orange trees, a lotus pond, a cactus greenhouse and a garden of aromatic plants; individual displays may change. In 2022, the garden received the “Jardin remarquable” designation for five years. This distinction recognizes public or private gardens and parks of cultural, aesthetic, historical or botanical interest.

Place de la Comédie is one of Europe’s largest pedestrian areas and also a point of access to the tram network. Lines 1 and 2 run from the stop there; check the latest line information before travelling. The Promenade du Peyrou is a wide-open viewpoint with an equestrian statue of Louis XIV and a water tower designed in the 18th century. The promenade also hosts Les Dimanches du Peyrou, a large flea and antiques market. If you plan to visit, check the latest dates in advance.

Planning guided tours

Montpellier’s Arc de Triomphe was built in 1692 on the site of a former gate in the city’s fortifications. It is accessible only as part of guided tours run by the tourist office. On one of these tours, you can climb the arch and enjoy views of Montpellier and its surroundings. Check before your trip whether a tour is being offered.

The Mikvé can also be visited only as part of certain tours run by the tourist office: “L’Essentielle” and “Mikvé, un joyau préservé”. Check in advance whether these tours are available. The access requirements make a guided tour an essential part of planning a visit here, while the garden, collections and public squares offer other focal points for your stay.

Which focus suits your trip?

For a focus on art history, the Musée Fabre offers a sweeping journey from the Renaissance to the present day; the Musée Atger complements it with drawings and prints. Botanical history and a stroll among varied plantings shape a visit to the Jardin des Plantes. Architecture enthusiasts can explore the Gothic cathedral and the architectural history of the Arc de Triomphe, but should bear in mind that access to the arch is by guided tour.

Discover more destinations: Viols-le-Fort, Argelliers, Saint-André-De-Sangonis, Ceyras, Le Soulié, La Boissiere, Saint-Nazaire-De-Ladarez, Aigues-Vives.

For the broader travel overview: Hérault.