Only a few miles from the Mediterranean, Montpellier is a destination rich with style and culture. A vacation with a hotel in Montpellier places you in a city of stately architecture, delicious and traditional French cuisine, and plenty of vibrant nightlife. With golden beaches just over ten kilometers from the city center, a hotel in Montpellier provides the comfort you need to enjoy this hidden gem in Southern France.
Lodged between Marseille and the border with Spain, Montpellier has long been on the crossroads of trade and innovation. France’s fastest growing city, hotels in Montpellier are perfect for a exploring a French city that’s a little off-the-beaten-path, yet still brimming with charming sites and plenty of activities. Hotels in the heart of Montpellier impress with access to wide, tree-lined boulevards, grand neoclassical mansions, and wide open squares for people-watching and alfresco dining. Start in Place de la Comédie – the focal point of the city and town center. Due to its oval shape it is often referred to as L’Oeuf (the Egg), and is a huge pedestrianized area packed with street artists and performers, cafes, bars, and a statue of the Three Graces – Montpellier’s three goddesses. Culture vultures will not want to miss a visit to Place du Peyrou, located just outside the city’s historic center. With its grand Promenade, Arc de Triomphe, and impressive Roman Aqueduct, it’s one of the most popular areas in Montpellier among locals and visitors. You can also enjoy panoramic views over the surrounding area from the Peyrou esplanade. One third of Montpellier’s population is dominated by students due to its world famous university, established in the city in the 13th century. As a result, nightlife here is exciting and youthful, with the majority of bars and clubs located around Place Jean Jaurés. Get out of your Montpellier hotel for the day and bike down to the Med – only 13 kilometers from the city center. There are plenty of sandy beaches on the Languedoc coast to explore, including the wild Plage du Petit Travers and Plage de Maguelone, which also features a lovely cathedral right there on the coast.
A two-hour drive (or one and a half hour train ride) from hotels in Montpellier, Marseille is one of France’s most impressive cities. Second in population to Paris, Marseille attracts travelers with its gorgeous port, blue waters, nearby villages, and natural parks. It’s also home to a rich collection of sites and museums to learn about the long and fascinating history of this ancient city – which was first settled by the Greeks thousands of years ago. Begin with a tour of the Old Port of Marseille (or Vieux Port). Today the dock is still in use, packed with the masts of tourist yachts and fishing boats. The harbor quay is a wonderful spot to spend at afternoon, dotted with bars and cafes to frequent while you stroll between the two 13th century forts that guard its entrance – Fort St-Nicolas and Fort St-Jean, with further history in the area spanning from the 6th century BC. The gorgeous Notre-Dame de la Garde watches over the city from its highest point, and provides exceptional views over the port and Mediterranean beyond. When in Marseille make sure you enjoy its most famous dish – bouillabaisse – washed down with the city’s anise-flavored aperitif, Pastis.
Further east along the coast are the gorgeous towns of the French Riviera, and the perfect place to explore after your city break with hotels in Montpellier. Mingle with the stars and cruise the coast on luxury yachts in Cannes – one of Provence’s most famous vacation destinations for celebrities and high flyers. A palm-lined golden coastline beckons sun-seekers to this stylish town on the French Riviera, and hotels in Cannes place you within reach of excursions to St-Tropez, the Lérins Islands, and Nice. Stroll down the vast Promenade des Anglais and enjoy a visit the bustling Cours Saleya market. The perfect Mediterranean climate along the French Riviera means days spent on Nice’s sandy coast and dining alfresco in the old town are guaranteed. City breaks with hotels in both Montpellier and Nice are ideal for a beach break in the South of France, while also providing access to a wealth of attractions in the city.