Day 1 In Montpellier

Welcome to Montpellier! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do.

Begin the afternoon in Place de la Comédie, one of the largest pedestrian areas in Europe situated in the heart of Montpellier. This area is dominated by the Comedie opera house and fountain of the three graces, the city`s goddesses. Wander around the shops and have lunch at one of the many outdoor cafes. This is the best place to soak up the city`s vibrant atmosphere.

We recommend that you get acquainted with the city by choosing an optional tour such as Montpellier City Tour, to get a flavor of this picturesque city and capital of Languedoc-Roussillon.

As evening approaches, grab a table outside at one of the atmospheric restaurants in the historic center. Often referred to as the `Ecussion,` the old walled town and historic district is a maze of narrow lanes, bordered by historic buildings, churches and courtyards. This is the perfect place to stroll the pedestrianized streets with a wealth of shops, bars and restaurants. Enjoy some traditional cuisine with a glass of robust red wine from the local vineyards.

Day 2 In Montpellier

Wake up early to discover the beautiful city of Montpellier. Start at the Promenade du Peyrou which is accessed through beautiful golden metal doors. This big garden located in the heart of the city is made up of long perfect tree-lined walks. This is the highest point in the city where the statue of Louis 14th sits right in the center of the Promenade. Its first intention was to serve as the royal square, now, it is a beautiful and quiet place where you can walk, rest in the shade of the many trees and enjoy stunning views, as well as admire the magnificent remains of a Roman aqueduct. When you go through the arch to enjoy the gardens you`ll be invited by street performers, and people who train dogs.

Just a short walk to the east of the Porte and Place du Peyrou, through small, winding backroads, sits the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre (you can`t miss this cathedral because of its Gothic church towers, which rise above everything) located in the historic center. It is very impressive from the outside while it is quite dark and massive inside. Next to the cathedral you will find Jardin des Plantes de Montpellier, the oldest botanical garden in France.

As afternoon approaches spend some time visiting the Musee Fabre, a pleasantly interesting museum that is located in the city center and one of the city`s greatest attractions. The museum tour is a great experience that is not to be missed (especially for those who love art!). The collections represent a bit about European schools with paintings, sculptures, and works from the 15th-century to the present. Many of the paintings come from the era of the Renaissance, Europe and Italian. The building is also very lovely, full of different environments.

From here head over to Antigone District (Montpellier`s designer suburb), mixing architecture from the Middle Ages all the way to the present. Just a quick walk down the wide boulevard, with its residential apartments either side, you`ll see how the designer, Ricardo Bofill, incorporates Roman columns, classical Greek arches and open green spaces into modern day construction. It`s pretty neat to see this futuristic suburb so close to the heart of Montpellier, bold in design.

End your day enjoying the pedestrianized streets around the church of St Roch, more specifically, rue des Teissiers, four des Falmmes, rue de la Fontaine, and plan d`Agde. All these streets buzz with cafes and bars, and overflow with people having drinks and dinner late into the night.

Day 3 In Montpellier

Grab a crepe or croissant in the city center before heading out for a day of adventure. Take a day trip to explore the Pic St-Loup, famously known as the holy peak wolf, it is located in the hinterland of Montpellier. The mountain is one of the most beautiful natural sites in the area and the location of one of the best hiking trails of the garrigue. It offers climbing for those who do it infrequently and the view from the top is impressive and incredible.

Alternatively, spend the day in Palavas-les-Flots, a small seaside resort just 3 miles south of the city. The town has white sandy beaches stretching miles along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Bring your bathing suit, a towel and some sunscreen lotion for a great afternoon on the beach. The beach is popular with families and young people alike, and you`ll also see many amateur wind-surfers and kite-surfers trying their skills on the bright blue waters of the Mediterranean.

In the winter, a good indoor alternative to the beach is the shopping center Odysseum, which you can find on the outskirts of Montpellier. The Odysseum complex has a very interesting urban design, and also includes an aquarium, planetarium and an ice-skating rink!

Finish the day with a relaxing dinner in Palavas-les-Flots Fisherman village, you can be sure the quality of the seafood is excellent! A great activity before dinner is to take the Transcanal, which is the world`s smallest chairlift, across the canal that separates the west side from the east side of the town. Head back to Montpellier after dinner, and if you still have some energy left you can check out more of the city`s nightlife.

Additional Days In Montpellier

Should you be able to spend additional days in Montpellier continue to explore the wonderful attractions of the city. First, check out the Montpellier Zoo, undoubtedly one of the city`s best features. The zoo has everything from giraffes to lions to colorful frogs, and the animals are divided by continents and areas. Touring the zoo, you`ll also find the Amazonian Jungle.

Next stop, Le Chateau de Flaugergues, one of the `foiles` in the city`s outskirts. In Montpellier, a `foilie` describes any house that was used as a secondary home by the aristocracy of the Ancient Regime, and Montpellier used to be one of the most important cities in France in terms of medicine, so many rich noblemen hand mansions built here. The Chateau de Flaugergues is one of these `folies`, and it is considered by many to be the most original of the city. The gardens are particularly lovely, making this spectacular building worth a visit.

Continue on for a visit to the Aquarium Mare Nostrum. This attraction not only offers a large quantity of fish, it also has demonstrations of the various marine environments and their unique settings. There are cute penguins and the amazing shark tank, amongst the various other sea creatures.

Alternatively, take a day trip and enjoy the sunny, relaxed city of Nimes.This city has a rich history, dating back to the Roman Empire with several famous monuments, such as the Nimes Arena and the Maison Carree. Because of this, Nimes is often referred to as the French Rome. This is also a thriving town of classy shops and restaurants in traffic-free polished streets.

Your Last Day In Montpellier

Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.