Sète and Montpellier are in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of South-west France. Only 20 minutes apart by train, they make an accessible pair of destinations to visit in one vacation. A good mix of city culture, bustling canals and natural beauty – together Sète and Montpellier make for a captivating weekend getaway.
If you want a more laid back base, stay in Sète, if you want that city vibe with lots of bars and gastronomy, base yourself in Montpellier. Either way, it is easy to day trip to the other destination, or many other spots around the Languedoc! This weekend escape itinerary has both coastal charm and urban sophistication.
How to get to Montpellier & Sète
By Plane – The nearest airport is Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport (MPL), about 8km from the city centre. It has connections to major European cities, including Paris, London, Amsterdam, and Madrid. You can take the airport shuttle (Line 620) or a taxi/Uber to the city centre.
The other nearby airport is Beziers, where some budget airlines fly into. From here, it’s easier to rent a car or hire a transfer.
By Train – Montpellier’s Saint-Roch train station is a major stop on the high-speed TGV line, making it just over 3 hours from Paris, 1.5 hours from Marseille, and 2 hours from Lyon.
By Car – Montpellier is accessible via the A9 and A75 motorways if you’re road-tripping through southern France.
By Bus – Budget bus operators like FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus, and Eurolines connect Montpellier to cities across France and Europe.
Where to stay in Sète
In Sète, I recommend a hotel down by the canals. For a view down the Peyrade Canal, try a stay at the Grand Hotel. For Royal Canal views, try Hôtel L’orque Bleue.
For something at the budget end of the scale, try the Ibis Budget Sète – close to the ferry terminal and not far from the train station.
Love France as much as I do? Check out my top Beautiful Cities & Towns in France
Things to do in Sète
Sète is set on a spit of land between the Mediterranean sea and Étang de Thau (Thau lagoon). A series of canals connect the lagoon with the Mediterranean sea, and the city has therefore earned the moniker ‘the Little Venice of the Mediterranean’.
At the east end of Sète there is a port, a train station, and a criss-cross of canals. Sète is easily accessible by train from Lyon and many other french cities. Once in Sète we found it easy to walk everywhere, as the old town centre isn’t vast.
Explore the Canals and Port
Houses, shops and cafés line the canals. We particularly enjoyed the bars along the Royal Canal that set up tables in the sun – it’s lovely to replace the usual passing cars with little passing boats!
In August, the canals come alive with the St. Louis Festival, where teams joust from boats! There are lots of events during this week-long festival, and people flock to line the canals to watch.
Climb Mont Saint-Clair
Take a walk (or tourist train in summer) up Mont Saint-Clair to Notre-Dame de la Salette. With panoramic views over Sète, it’s a gorgeous spot to enjoy. Take the Chemin de Biscan Pas (path) or Escaliers du Mont Saint-Clair (stairs) out of the town centre to reach the top.
There are some local buses, but you’ll still have a short climb at the top from the bus stop.
Musée International des Arts Modestes
The Musée International des Arts Modestes (MIAM) is a contemporary museum dedicated to everyday objects and artworks that don’t fit neatly into conventional fine art categories.
The museum is known for its immersive exhibitions that blur the lines between high and low art, drawing on themes like street art, DIY culture, and global craft traditions.
You can also easily visit the beach at Marseillan too.
Where to stay in Montpellier
In Montpellier, unless you are travelling by car, I would recommend staying in the centre, so you can enjoy the buzz of the city. For an art deco treat, try the Grand Hôtel du Midi on Place de la Comedie. There are two Ibis hotels at the north-east end of Place de la Comedie, which offer affordable but central accommodations.
If you are driving, I highly recommend the new Courtyard by Marriott Montpellier on Place Georges Frêche. It has a large, secure carpark underneath, and is right next to a number of tramlines. You can get your tram tickets from the front desk, and the balcony rooms overlooking the square are beautiful and huge!
Things to do in Montpellier
Montpellier is like a mini version of Paris – gritty, chic, and charming. Set on a gentle slope up from the train station, Montpellier has an extensive tram network and many pedestrian zones and squares, where restaurants spill out and embrace that terrific outdoor lifestyle that France does so well.
It has a fantastic student vibe, which means there are lots of places to eat and drink cheaply too!
Place de la Comedie / Downtown
If you walk up the hill from the train station you will find the grand Place de la Comedie. An old-fashioned carousel sits pride of place on the square, and at the north end you’ll find the Tourist Information Office. Beyond this is a park and the Espace Dominique Bagouet museum and the Pavillon Populaire photography museum.
From here, head up Rue de la Loge, the pedestrianised shopping area, and past some fantastic squares – perfect for dining or stopping for a refreshment (Place Jean Jaurès and Place Castellane).
Arc de Triomphe & Aqueduc Saint-Clément
Further north-west is Place des Martyrs-de-la-Résistance, where you will get your first glimpse of the Arc de Triomphe of Montpellier. Built in 1693 to commemorate the achievements of Louis XIV. It’s a little more modest than its Parisian cousin but still suitably grand, with reliefs celebrating the king’s military victories and political power.
Beyond the Triumphal arch, you’ll find the regal Promenade du Peyrou, an area of monuments, again dedicated to King Louis XIV.
Beyond the Promenade du Peyrou is the Saint-Clément Aqueduct. This relatively modern aqueduct supplies the city’s fountains, and was built in 1766. This double tier aqueduct is a feat of engineering and a lovely spot to visit. Shame that they have built a parking area underneath!
Montpellier Cathedral
Montpellier Cathedral is the largest and most important medieval church in the city. It was originally built in 1364 as a chapel for the nearby Faculty of Medicine (the oldest still-operating medical school in the world), and was made a cathedral in 1536. In a southern Gothic style, it has massive twin towers and imposing fortress-like façade, which makes it feel more like a castle than a place of worship.
Saint-Roch
The Saint-Roch area is known for its narrow, winding streets, street art, and bohemian vibe. It’s centred around the Church of Saint-Roch, a 19th-century neo-Gothic church dedicated to the city’s patron saint. With a mix of independent boutiques, quirky bars, and relaxed cafés, it’s a popular spot for locals and students.
Other cute medieval parts of the Écusson (old town) of Montpellier include the area between the Cathedral and Place du Marché aux Fleurs; and the streets around Place Du Petit Scel.
Visiting Sète & Montpellier
Sète has the laidback feel of a seaside town, and Montpellier has that big city feel but on a much more manageable scale. Like all cities in France, the busy months are July and August, so I definitely recommend visiting in the spring instead – it is warm but less busy. One thing is for sure, visiting Sète and Montpellier for a long weekend will keep you busy, engaged and well-fed!
STAYING LONGER? Don’t miss time in Nimes, Arles, and the Camargue Regional Nature Park.
Why not visit Nice on the same trip?
Or head down the coast into Spain and see Barcelona!
All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + an iPhone.
