Jardin des Plantes

Montpellier

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DESTINATIONS france montpellier Do & See Jardin des Plantes

Jardin des Plantes

Pierre Richer de Belleval founded France’s oldest botanical garden in 1593. Today it is a charming array of tropical greenhouses, ancient trees and worn benches. The ancient trees provide plenty of shaded areas to make it a sought-after spot in the heat of summer.

Do & See

There is plenty to do in the way of culture and entertainment, as well as exciting tours to go on - from regional vineyards and wineries to hiking up Pic St-Loup. Visit the city's many cathedrals (Carre Sainte-Anne is one that stands out with its refurbished interior turned into an art space), walk down the windy streets of the old town, and plan a field trip to the nearby seaside villages.

Montpellier Cathedral

Montpellier Cathedral

This Roman Catholic cathedral is a national monument of France and was originally a church founded in 1364 (it became a cathedral in 1536). This stunning building has beautiful stained glass, wonderful old religious paintings and an attached garden. This is an attraction well worth a …

Notre-Dame des Tables

Notre-Dame des Tables

The original church was destroyed during the religious wars of the 16th century, but it is still an exciting historical destination. The name comes from the tables of the currency exchange that was linked to the spice trade, originally located in front of the …

Musée Atger

The museum is located in one of the buildings belonging to the Department of Medicine, and is the oldest museum in the entire city. It contains artworks carefully gathered by collector Xavier Atger, and displays works of Rubens, Tiepolo, Carracci and Fragonard, among …

Jardin des Plantes

Jardin des Plantes

Pierre Richer de Belleval founded France’s oldest botanical garden in 1593. Today it is a charming array of tropical greenhouses, ancient trees and worn benches. The ancient trees provide plenty of shaded areas to make it a sought-after spot in the heat of …

Maguelone

Maguelone (or Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone), a few miles south of Montpellier, is home to a magical lagoon landscape with beaches, sand dunes, islands, and a gigantic 17th-century cathedral. There are plenty of relaxing and active pursuits to explore in the area - from water sports to bird watching. …

Espiguette Beach (Le Grau du Roi)

Espiguette Beach (Le Grau du Roi)

A wide open beach that stands out and goes on for miles, a great place to swim and walk. The shallow water makes it safe for younger swimmers. This popular beach can get quite busy and crowded during summer time, but is well worth a visit. Touristic infrastructure is well-developed. …

Musée Fabre

One of the biggest museums in France, exhibiting nearly 800 works with Flemish, Dutch, Italian, Spanish and French collections. Admire works from the 16th-18th centuries from painters like Zurbaran, Reynolds, Tenier, Veronese and Monet. On display are ceramics, sculptures and contemporary …

Planet Ocean World

Planet Ocean World

It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in town, and no wonder why - it contains 3,500 animals from nearly 300 species which fills the 24 pools. In addition, it represents a variety of marine landscapes and provides unique storm and hurricane …

Montpellier Zoological Park

Montpellier Zoological Park

The park is home to 750 animals and 145 species in an 80-hectare area. It is classed as a "Free Animal Reserve and Refuge". It is located in the North of Montpellier with beautiful vegetation. This is a great attraction for the whole family. Do waer your walking shoes, as the park is a …

Place de la Comedie

Place de la Comedie

Place de la Comedie is a stunning square with a great buzz. This is a place where you can grab a cup of coffee whilst absorbing the beauty of the grand old buildings and watching the world go by. There are plenty of restaurants and bars too. It is also here that you will …

Musée Parc des Dinosaures

Musée Parc des Dinosaures

Located in an authentic paleontological site, this dinosaur park is the largest one of its kind in Europe, and well worth a day trip from Montpellier. Containing real fossil displays as well as life-size dinosaur models (meet the Brachiosaurus - some 25 meter long), it is a fun passtime for …

Château de la Mogère

Château de la Mogère

Château de la Mogère dates back to the 18th century (renovated in the 19th century). Inside you will find a library with more than 2000 books, there are also paintings, furniture and family portraits. Outside the building is a French garden with flowers and …

Europark Indoor

Europark Indoor

This is a paradise for children up to 12 years old (Europark is the largest indoor children's entertainment park in France). Here children can enjoy lots of activities like swimming in the ball pool, going down the slides, jumping on the trampolines and much …

Pic Saint-Loup

Saint-Loup is the highest observation point in the Montpellier area, and a perfect place to go for a rewarding hike. The reward awaits at the very top, when lush valleys below unfold to reveal breathtaking panoramic views. Comfortable covered shoes are essential. Paths varying in degrees of …

Petit Paradis de Vendargues

Petit Paradis de Vendargues

This lovely animal farm is located just outside of Montpellier, only a short drive northeast of the city. Animal inhabitants of the farm include alpacas, pigs, donkeys, goats, adorable ponies and more - all rather friendly. Feeding the animals is allowed, …

Pavillon Populaire

Pavillon Populaire

This hard-to-miss building, located in very close proximity to the Tourist Office, regularly hosts a wealth of photography exhibitions featuring works of local and international photographers. Exposition changes frequently, so stop by to see what is on display when you're in …

Wine Tours

There are multiple companies offering wine tours to wineries in Montpellier area. Some include a visit to an olive farm (and other activities), followed by a tour of one of the regional wineries, which usually includes a wine tasting session. One company organizing tours of the kind is Montpellier Wine …

Carre Sainte-Anne

Carre Sainte-Anne

From the outside, Carre Sainte-Anne deceptively looks like just another church. Those who do venture inside, however, will be surprised to see the refurbished space that has been turned into a contemporary exhibition pavilion, with expositions designed to resonate with the unusual nature of the …

Roquefort Société Caves

Roquefort Société Caves

To visit the Roquefort Société Caves, you have to travel a little bit off the beaten path, approximately 1 1/2 hours northwest of Montpellier. January through July is the period you can see cheeses ripening in the caves; access to the caves themselves is possible all year …