Car Hire Montpellier Airport

You’ll get a sense of Montpellier as you circle the city to land – from the lavish boulevards to the lovely expanses of beach beyond. The airport is close to the coast, and the heart of Montpellier is just 20 to 30 minutes by car, along the D66.

Driving is on the right-hand side of the road in France, with overtaking on the left. Seatbelts are compulsory and mobile phone use while driving – including hands-free sets – is illegal.  Speed limits typically range from 50km/h in towns and cities up to a maximum of 130km/h on motorways or ‘autoroutes’ in fine weather, but limits can vary according to location and driving conditions (lowering to 110km/h on autoroutes in rain, for example), so always ensure you check signs for the route that you are on.

If you’re planning on heading beyond Montpellier to explore more of the Occitanie region, the A9 is the main autoroute to use. It runs north-east to Nimes, a wonderful place for a day trip, and close to Avignon. Take it south-west and you’ll pass through Beziers, Narbonne and ultimately down to Perpignan. Autoroutes are often tolled, but you can usually pay by cash or card.

The city isn’t difficult to navigate, as it’s quite compact, but the historic centre is closed to traffic. The city’s real heart is Place de la Comedie – also known as ‘The Egg’ or ‘Comedy Square’ – and to access it you’ll need to use a car park nearby.

Fortunately, there is plenty of parking in the centre, while street meters fall into three zones with different prices. As a typical rule, the closer they are to the centre, the more they cost.

Montpellier’s beauty, location and serene way of life combine to make it an attractive proposition for visitors and locals alike. The streets have an elegance during the day and turn vibrant by night – with an atmosphere that is never short of charm.

From the grand square, or ‘egg’, of Place de la Comedie, to the gorgeous avenues of the l’Ecusson neighbourhood, Montpellier is a friendly, modern and stylish city, but it also has heritage and history to spare.

From Counts to Comedie

Montpellier was founded by the Counts of Toulouse in the 10^th century – and is one of the few towns in the south of France not to have been settled by the Romans. The best historic architecture here ranges from medieval marvels to huge squares established in the early 18^th century. Once you’ve parked up, span out from the focal point of Place de la Comedie, where one side is dominated by the impressive Opera House, and stroll up Rue de la Loge. This lively thoroughfare is lined with shops.

The key attraction in terms of religious buildings is the Cathédrale St-Pierre, which dates back to the 14^th century and is a national monument of stunning Gothic architecture – with its towering exterior pillars reminiscent of soaring rockets.

Among the old masters

While it may not have the name recognition of the Louvre in Paris, Montpellier’s Musée Fabre is an absolute gem of a gallery. Founded by artist François-Xavier Fabre in 1825, its collection spans more than half a millennium, and is truly astounding.

Bask in the warm glow of works by Rubens, Monet, Degas and Delacroix. A son of the south is richly celebrated too – with a room dedicated to the paintings of Frederic Bazille, including a superb portrait of Renoir, proving the best kind of an eye-opener.

Explore outstanding Occitanie

One of the best things about hiring a car when you visit Montpellier is that you can explore much more of the Occitanie region - which is brimming with historic attractions, gorgeous landscapes and enticing beaches.

When on the road you’ll pass stretches of gorgeous countryside punctuated by unspoiled villages, and you can skirt close to the coast to espy the perfect ‘plage’.

Drive north-east to Nimes, known as the ‘Rome of France’, and tour Les Arènes – a remarkable Roman amphitheatre built more than 2,000 years ago. Beautifully preserved and mirroring the famous Colosseum with its grandeur, time your visit to take in a concert or show and you’ll have a memory to cherish forever.

Close by is the decidedly modern Musée de la Romanité, proof that Nimes knows how to mix the contemporary with the ancient – inside you’ll find some stunning archaeological artefacts. Before leaving, take a turn around the Jardins de la Fontaine, full of Roman ruins including a tower, temple and what was once a spring and baths.

For another splendid day trip to savour, drive south-west and, once past Beziers, you’ll reach Narbonne. This destination is also replete with Roman remains, but has a contemporary elegance thanks to its canal and swoon-worthy bridge, plus a covered food market ideal for stocking up on French delights.

With car hire at Montpellier Airport, all of these wonders are within your reach.