Traveling to Montpellier is the perfect excuse to take a trip to the south of France and discover Beautiful villages, historic cities and very different landscapes within easy reachIf you fancy combining a young and dynamic city with medieval corners, Roman remains and nature on a grand scale, this area of Occitania and neighboring Provence has it all.
In this article I propose a very complete route to get to know the 3 beautiful villages near Montpellier that you can't miss. All this with practical information on distances, transport and many details so you can make the most of your trip.
Montpellier and its surroundings: a perfect base for exploring
The city of Montpellier is located in the south of France, in the region of Occitania and within the department of Hérault, very close to the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by very varied landscapes: vineyards, lagoons, rivers, coves, cliffs and even mountainous reliefs such as the Pic Saint-Loup and other mountain routes in beautiful villages near Grenoble.
The town is crossed by the rivers Lez and Mosson, two natural axes which help to understand its unique urban planning and its emphasis on open spaces. Furthermore, its location midway between such emblematic areas as the Camargue, the Hérault gorges, the Languedoc coast, and Provence makes it a ideal starting point for day trips.
Montpellier is also a very pleasant city for walking around, with a pedestrianized historic center full of lively squares, medieval alleyways and monumental buildingsIn addition to this old town, there is a contemporary, avant-garde neighborhood, Antigone, which showcases the city's most modern and innovative side.
Another of its strengths is that the city is very well connected by train, tram and bus service to many surrounding municipalitiesThis makes it easy to get around without a car, especially towards the coast or destinations like Sète, Nîmes, Béziers or Aigues-Mortes.
The region surrounding Montpellier is a small universe in itself: here you can walk medieval villages perched on the rock, port towns crisscrossed by canals, spectacular Roman remainsPink salt flats, impressive caves and castles that seem straight out of a fantasy novel.
Aigues-Mortes: medieval walls and pink salt flats
About 30 kilometers from Montpellier, near the Mediterranean and in the heart of the Camargue, lies Aigues-Mortes, a beautiful walled town with a medieval layout It looks like something out of a chivalric romance. Getting there is very easy, both by car and by regional train (around 35 minutes).
Its main protagonists are the perfectly preserved walls that surround the entire old townThey can be explored on foot along the top, enjoying incredible views over the houses, the marshes and, in the distance, the salt mountains that have made the area famous.
Within the walled city you will find Straight streets, welcoming squares, and a relaxed but very touristy atmosphereIt's an ideal place for an evening stroll, dinner on a terrace, and if you're staying in Montpellier, you can spend a different kind of afternoon or evening here.
Don't forget to go to the Constance Tower, one of the symbols of Aigues-MortesNor should you forget to set aside some time for the famous salt flats. There you can see those enormous mountains of white and pink salt flats that create an almost surreal landscape.
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert: a town on the Camino de Santiago between mountains
About 35 kilometers west of Montpellier, in a more mountainous and green environment, lies hidden Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, one of the most beautiful medieval villages in FranceIt forms part of the Jacobean route known as the Via Tolosana, which runs from Arles to Roncesvalles, passing through Toulouse.
The heart of the people is the Gellone Abbey, founded in 804 by William I of ToulouseDeclared a World Heritage Site as part of the network of routes of St. James in France, its walls, cloister, and the surrounding square create a very special atmosphere of contemplation.
Beyond the abbey, the best thing you can do is Explore its cobbled streets, tiny squares, and stone houses at a leisurely pace.The village is nestled between rocky walls, so the combination of architecture and nature is one that stays with you.
Very close to Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is the Clamouse grotto, a spectacular cave filled with stalactites and stalagmites formed over centuries. The visit is usually done via a guided tour (normally in French or English) of approximately one hour, with illuminated walkways where the different formations can be appreciated.
In the same area, the road passes through the famous Pont du Diable, an 11th-century medieval bridge over the Hérault River Declared a National Monument. Besides being an icon of the region, the surroundings are perfect for walking along the river or taking a dip in the summer.
Les Baux-de-Provence: fortress on top of the rock
Already in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, but within a manageable distance from Montpellier if you go by car, you will find Les Baux-de-Provence, a tiny village perched atop a hill crowned by the ruins of an ancient castleIt has only a few hundred inhabitants, but receives more than a million visitors a year.
The charm of the place lies in its medieval layout of cobbled alleyways, light stone houses and balconies with flowersAll of this is framed by a landscape of olive groves, vineyards, and hills typical of Provence. From the top of the fortified enclosure, there are spectacular views of the entire region.
It is true that it has become a A very touristy town, full of shops selling local products such as Marseille soap, wine, cheeses, oil or any preparation with lavender, so it's normal that you'll end up snacking and taking some souvenirs home in your suitcase.
Les Baux is part of that handful of villages listed as “Les plus beaux villages de France”, an association that brings together the most picturesque towns in the countryIf you fancy making a longer trip, nearby Provence offers other gems such as Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Tourtour, Bargème or Gassin, a bit further from Montpellier but perfect for a longer trip around the area.
How to get around Montpellier and organize excursions
One of the keys to truly enjoying the area is that Montpellier is making a strong commitment to sustainable mobilityAccess to the centre is quite limited for private vehicles, so the most convenient way to get around is by public transport or bicycle.
The tram is the backbone of urban transport, with four lines connecting the center with the outer neighborhoods and nearby municipalitiesEach line has its own design and very striking colors, the work of designers such as Christian Lacroix, and runs through key points of the city and its surroundings.
If you are staying in the suburbs or in a town served by tram, you can use the park and ride facilities next to the TaM stopsThe local operator. There are family passes available that include parking and several transport tickets for the whole day for a very reasonable price.
The city also promotes the use of Bicycles for getting around town, as well as for routes towards the coast or through vineyardsYou can find up-to-date information on rentals and recommended routes at the Tourist Office and on the official website.
For slightly longer excursions, the train is very practical: Direct services depart from Montpellier Saint-Roch station towards Sète, Béziers, Nîmes, Aigues-Mortes and other towns. For destinations like Pont du Gard, you can simply combine the train with a regional bus.
Between car, train, tram and bicycle you can easily organize a A route that combines Montpellier with beautiful villages, historic cities, and large natural spacesFrom the Camargue to Lake Thau, passing through Carcassonne or the Canal du Midi, the options for extending your trip are enormous, whether you are traveling alone, as a couple or as a family.
The sum of a vibrant city like Montpellier with Medieval villages, Roman cities, sea and mountain landscapes, and a gastronomy marked by wine, cheese, and Mediterranean products This makes this part of southern France a destination you always want to return to.
Organizing a trip based here allows you to explore at your own pace places like Aigues-Mortes, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Les Baux-de-Provence, Sète, Béziers, Arles, Nîmes or the Pont du Gard, linking days of culture, nature and good life as if it were the most normal thing in the world.