What to do around Montpellier
City, vineyards, villages and beaches: our ideas for days out from the hotel, in Castelnau-le-Lez.
From Castelnau-le-Lez, on the eastern edge of Montpellier, the city is a tram ride away and the countryside half an hour by car. Between the historic centre, the Pic Saint-Loup vineyards, the character villages and the coast, here are our ideas to fill a weekend — or extend a stay.
The heart of Montpellier, by tram
Tram L2 (Aube Rouge stop) reaches the centre in 17 minutes: Place de la Comédie, the Écusson and its lanes, the Fabre museum, the Peyrou promenade and its triumphal arch, the botanical garden. Over at Odysseum, the Planet Ocean aquarium and the cinemas round off a day in town, without a car.
Vineyards and open air: Pic Saint-Loup
Half an hour north, Pic Saint-Loup rises above the vines. You can hike it and taste your way around it: the Pic Saint-Loup appellation is one of the finest in the region. Closer in, the Château de Flaugergues and its gardens can be visited at the city's edge.
Villages and heritage
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, listed among the most beautiful villages of France and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is three quarters of an hour away. Reckon a similar distance for the Pont du Gard, the Nîmes arena, or Aigues-Mortes and its ramparts at the edge of the Camargue.
The Camargue and the beaches
To the south, the Camargue — its pink flamingos and white horses — begins around forty minutes away. And for beach days, the coast, from Palavas-les-Flots to La Grande-Motte, is close by: see our guide to the beaches from the hotel.
Read the beaches guide →Days out around Montpellier
- What can I do in Montpellier without a car?
- Tram L2 leaves from the Aube Rouge stop, a 5-minute walk from the hotel, and reaches the centre in 17 minutes: Comédie, the Écusson, the Fabre museum, the Peyrou, Saint-Roch station and Odysseum are all reachable by tram.
- What to do around Montpellier when it rains?
- The Fabre museum, the Planet Ocean aquarium at Odysseum, the Pic Saint-Loup tasting cellars or a visit to the Château de Flaugergues are pleasant options under cover.
- What outings near the hotel for families?
- The Planet Ocean aquarium, the beaches at Palavas and Carnon, the Camargue and its horses, or a walk in the hotel's pine woods with the pool to follow all please children.
- Where can I taste wine near Montpellier?
- The estates of Pic Saint-Loup and Grés de Montpellier, about half an hour away, offer visits and tastings. The Château de Flaugergues, closer in, also makes its own wine.