Whether or not lengthy days on the seashore, hikes by means of the mountains, or days spent buying on cobblestone streets within the metropolis centre are what you’re searching for, Montpellier provides all of it – and is completely located for accessing a slew of Languedoc-based wineries, too.
Along with its central location amongst quite a few Languedoc appellations, Montpellier itself is house to a bustling wine scene. Though the town doesn’t essentially boast tasting rooms like different wine-centric regional capitals, the tradition surrounding viticulture and vinification is palpable all through the town’s meals and beverage scene. From bustling outside terraces to rowdy hole-in-the-wall wine bars to haute-cuisine eating choices, the thread that weaves Montpellier’s meals and drinks scene is instantly apparent: wine.
Maybe one among Montpellier’s single greatest promoting factors is its extremely fascinating climate year-round. For these searching for to interrupt their wine-drenched evenings up with days spent lounging beneath the solar, the summer time months of June, July and August provide optimum climate for testing the area’s breathtaking, and reasonably priced, personal seashores. Spring and autumn months provide nice daytime highs between 15 and 25 Celsius, with winter daytime temperatures not often dipping beneath 11.
Nestled between the gastronomic areas of the Sud-Ouest (South West) and Provence, the delicacies of France’s Languedoc area fantastically meshes the very best of its neighbours. Residence to hearty, meat-heavy cassoulet, in addition to garlicky fish stew (bourride) and briny oysters, the delicacies of this versatile area provides one thing for each palate desire on the market – and the area’s wines are equally versatile.
Whether or not coming from overseas or just capturing down for a weekend from Paris, Montpellier is one among France’s most easily-accessible cities, due to its sturdy public transportation system. Along with its small airport, positioned nearly 10 kilometres exterior of the town centre, Montpellier can be house to a high-speed TGV station, ideally positioned within the centre of city. To navigate the town past exploring on foot, Montpellier’s tram system is extremely straightforward to grasp, and when doubtful, Uber and taxis are very straightforward to come back by.
The Languedoc area is house to the most important variety of natural wines in France, in addition to the most important variety of appellation-designated rosé wines. Previously referred to as the Languedoc-Roussillon, the area now falls underneath the overarching Occitanie identify, of which the Languedoc makes up 90% (remaining 10% is Roussillon).
Friday
A visitor room at Lodge Richer de Belleval. Credit score: Lodge Richer de Belleval
Night / In a single day
Arrive in Montpellier round 3pm and examine into Lodge Richer de Belleval, the primary – and solely – five-star lodge within the metropolis centre. After meticulous renovation and restoration, this luxury property lastly opened its doorways in June of 2021. Located on the luxurious Place de la Canourgue, this former Seventeenth-century property now boasts 20 expansive visitor rooms, every adorned with signature traditional and romantic touches. Rooms embrace massive beds, sitting areas with gorgeous views of the town and splendid loos outfitted with a free-standing tub and separate bathe, with Diptyque bathtub merchandise at company’ disposal.
Settle in on the lodge, get pleasure from a cappuccino at one of many many beautiful lodging – be it the outside backyard space, entrance terrasse, or enchanting bar-breakfast room hybrid – and stroll over to La Panacée, a up to date artwork house that includes rotating reveals and an expansive outside backyard bar.
Put up artwork tour, head for a glass (or bottle) at Les Canons, a hole-in-the-wall wine bar that’s merely to not be missed. Based by Camille Lapierre of the famed Beaujolais-based Lapierre household, this cozy wine bar is greatest recognized for its well-curated pure wine choice and small plates, although the previous is really the star of the present.
For dinner, return to Lodge Richer de Belleval and expertise a once-in-a-lifetime meal crafted by the hands of Jacques and Laurent Pourcel, the famed French brothers behind the lodge’s restaurant, Jardin des Sens. This one-Michelin star restaurant provides each à-la-carte and coursed eating choices (we suggest springing for the 10-course tasting menu).
Menu gadgets concentrate on recent, seasonal produce and regional French recipes, meticulously executed by the hands of the gifted kitchen staff. Count on recent blue lobster, candied beetroot, and a wide range of amuse-bouches, in addition to two dessert programs and an unforgettable cheese cart. The one factor that rivals the restaurant’s beautiful meals? Its Bible-like wine record laden with well-priced gems, in addition to the staff’s joyful hospitality. Better of all, returning house merely requires strolling (or rolling) up a flight or two of stairs.
Saturday
Soulenq provides a wide range of artistic Mediterranean dishes. Credit score: Soulenq
Morning
Take pleasure in a slow-paced morning at Lodge Richer de Belleval over a complimentary breakfast of yogurt, espresso and pastries within the backyard. Put up-meal, head to the tourism workplace at Place de la Comédie and decide up your Montpellier Metropolis Card, obtainable in 24h, 48h, or 72h choices. The cardboard provides free entry to numerous city-wide museums, in addition to complimentary use of the general public transportation system.
Afternoon
Geared up together with your Metropolis Card, head to the Musée Fabre, a well-curated (and well-sized) artwork museum based by Montpellier-based painter François-Xavier Fabre again in 1825. Stroll the museum’s present exhibition and everlasting assortment for about 1-2 hours, then head to Tartine et sac à dos for – you guessed it – tartines, eggs, and a wide range of wholesome lunch choices.
As soon as satiated, decide whether or not your Saturday will encompass venturing out by means of the area to go to native wineries (see a listing of really useful locations beneath) or whether or not staying central and having fun with the city’s many quaint boutiques and wine bars is what the day requires. Ought to wine bar hopping be on the itinerary, make sure to hit Panka, a pure wine-focused cocktail bar with funky tapas, in addition to Chez Pinot, an reasonably priced wine-focused spot providing small plates.
Night
For a wine-focused institution beloved by locals (notably wine professionals), head to Augusta. Based by a Lyonnais proprietor, this quality-focused institution provides a wide range of French (and a small quantity of worldwide) wines by the bottle, all of that are extremely nicely priced. Take pleasure in shareable meat and cheese boards, in addition to a wide range of tapas and pinchos – don’t sleep on the frittata. Corkage payment is simply 10 euros per bottle, and the centralised location makes it tremendous straightforward to search out.
In a single day
For these nonetheless thirsty after dinner at Augusta, head to one of many metropolis’s many late-night wine bars. Gloulglou retains its doorways opens till 1am and provides a wide range of easy-drinking wines and small plates, and for these curious to find one thing simply exterior of the town’s limits, Soulenque provides an unlimited collection of extra classically-focused wines and simple-yet-refined seasonally-focused plates. Want to remain native? A nightcap on the gorgeous bar inside Lodge Richer de Belleval is all the time a good suggestion – particularly when loved with dessert.
Sunday
The Arc de Triomphe, Montpellier. Picture by Nathan Cima on Unsplash
Morning
Take pleasure in your morning at Lodge Richer de Belleval with espresso, pastries, and a complimentary copy of the New York Instances. Stroll across the metropolis and absorb its magnificence through the quiet hours of a Sunday morning. Head to the town’s Arc de Triomphe, or Porte du Peyrou, simply 5 minutes away from the lodge, and stroll by means of to the Promenade du Peyrou for breathtaking panoramic views of the encompassing areas.
Afternoon
Put up late-morning stroll, select your seasonally-appropriate exercise based mostly on the time of 12 months. Headed to Montpellier in summer time and trying to benefit from the seashore? Plunge into the Mediterranean from one of many many close by plages privées, accessible by tram/navette, Uber, or rental automobile (about 25 minutes from the town centre). Professional tip: Reserve upfront on-line; lounge chairs (referred to as transats) and huge umbrellas usually go for round 20-25 euros per individual, per day. Be sure you seize some pastries at Des Rêves et du Ache close to the lodge previous to heading out.
Ought to the seashore not be within the playing cards, wander across the metropolis and take a look at numerous bustling terrasses on Place de la Comédie or Sq. Planchon, good for individuals watching. For adventurous wine lovers with rental automobiles, schedule some tasting appointments across the area and uncover the close by appellations of Pic Saint-Loup, Pézenas, Picpoul de Pinet, and Montpeyroux.
Night
For a late lunch, early dinner, or apéro that turns into dinner, look no additional than Trinque Fougasse. One of many early bar à vins/caviste hybrids in Montpellier, this newly-reopened spot provides an enormous collection of wines, starting from traditional massive names to smaller, boutique vignerons. After working the joint for over thirty years, Dominique Boudet has handed the torch onto his son, Mathieu Boudet, whose ardour for good meals and nice wine is aware of no limits – and better of all, the O’Sud location is open from 10am till midnight seven days per week (a uncommon discover in France!).
For these staying a further night time – and searching for a late-night Sunday spot to proceed to quench their thirst – head to Instances, a no-frills wine bar with loads of outside seating, open till 1am seven days per week. For one thing a bit stronger, Rhum Runner and Nectar Cocktail Membership are open till 1am and midnight on Sundays, respectively.
The place to remain, eat and store
Pompette Pérols. Credit score: Pompette Pérols
Le Petit Moulu Torréfacteur Café
43 Rue de l’Université, 34000 Montpellier
Centrally-located café/espresso retailer hybrid with scrumptious brews and freshly roasted beans to go (complete or floor); pleasant outside seating, tea and equipment additionally on the market.
Anga
10 Rue Saint-Firmin, 34000 Montpellier
Positioned in a historic, stone-walled constructing, this gastronomic restaurant provides a concentrate on seasonal meals and artistic plates, which pair completely with the spot’s in depth wine record.
Bouillon Maurel
3 Rue des Multipliants, 34000 Montpellier
This newly-opened restaurant within the coronary heart of the town centre is capturing the hearts of native wine lovers day in and time out. Count on shared-plate type meals and tons of native diners.
Juniper – The G&T Bar
4 Rue des Trésorier de la Bourse, 34000 Montpellier
This small and comfy pub-style bar specialises in – you guessed it, gin and tonics, with a plethora of different cocktails, beers, and wines by the glass obtainable.
Microbrasserie La Barbotte
1 Rue des deux Ponts, 34000 Montpellier
For a break between wines, seize some native brews at Microbrasserie La Barbotte, positioned simply across the nook from Gare Saint-Roch. Along with artisanal beers, this informal spot additionally provides surprisingly scrumptious burgers, ought to the craving strike.
Pompette Pérols
31 Rue Gaston Bazille, 34470 Pérols
Positioned simply exterior the town centre, this newly-opened wine store provides a collection of boutique wines from small producers – good for stopping by and grabbing a bottle after coming back from the seashore in your approach again to the town.
Ermitage du Pic Saint-Loup (Pic Saint-Loup)
370 Cami de lou Castellas, 34270 Saint-Mathieu-de-Tréviers
Small-yet-serious natural/biodynamic vineyard within the coronary heart of Pic Saint-Loup, based in 1992 by brothers Xavier, Pierre, and Jean-Marc Ravaille.
Cháteau de Lascaux (Pic Saint-Loup)
Route du Brestalou, 34270 Vacquières
thirteenth era property comprising 85 hectares of organically-farmed vines with a concentrate on Grenache–Syrah blends.
Domaine d’Aupilhac (Montpeyroux)
28 Rue du Plo, 34150 Montpeyroux
One of many area’s extra outstanding names, Domaine d’Aupilhac is house to 21+ hectares of organically-farmed vines, with a concentrate on Mourvèdre-dominant reds and native white blends.
Mas Gabriel (Pézenas)
9 Av. de Mougères, 34720 Caux
Small (6-hectare) vineyard based mostly in Pézenas specialising in natural and biodynamic agriculture with an emphasis on native Mediterranean varieties.
Tips on how to get there
Predominant airport: Montpellier Airport (MPL)
TGV Station: Montpellier Saint-Roch TGV
Driving time: Lyon to Montpellier – approx. 3 hours (304 km)
Marseille to Montpellier – approx. 2 hours (170 km)
Toulouse to Montpellier – approx. 2.5 hours (242 km)
