From Paris to Nice, tourists are spoilt for choice when it comes to holiday destinations in France. But some of the most popular spots can also be extremely crowded.
Tourists recently complained of feeling like “herded cattle” at Versailles Palace while France intends to launch a campaign encouraging tourists to visit some of its lesser-known destinations.
I recently visited Montpellier, a city in southern France, just 10km from the coast. While I wouldn’t describe it as a hidden gem, there were far fewer tourists there than more well-known southern cities such as Nice, Marseille and Cannes.
It’s also one of France’s prettiest cities with a gorgeous old town packed with cafe-lined squares. While Montpellier isn’t on the coast, it’s just a short bus ride to the beach.
Although the south of France isn’t known for being affordable, Montpellier is a student city and I found prices were far cheaper than in Paris or Lyon.
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Montpellier’s historic centre Ecusson is a maze of alleyways and narrow streets and I loved wandering the streets with an ice-cream. Ecusson is packed with pretty squares which are the perfect place to sip a citron presse or enjoy a morning coffee.
The city’s main square, Place de la Comedie, was an ideal people watching spot while Place de la Canourgue was the perfect place to shelter from the sun.
I loved the Jardin des Plantes, France’s oldest botanical garden, which is right outside the city centre. Montpellier is also a fantastic cultural destination and I visited several of the city’s art galleries.
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Musee Fabre is home to one of France’s biggest public art collections and I loved seeing Bazille’s paintings as he focused on the local area. The city also has several impressive modern art spots, including Pavillon Populaire which hosts temporary photo exhibitions.
In the late afternoon, head to the Place Royale du Peyrou for incredible sunset views. When it comes to dinner, Montpellier has a great range of cheap eats and upscale bistros.
I loved the empanadas at Empanadas Club for a quick bite or you could head to an alfresco bistro for a romantic evening. After dinner, the old town has a huge choice of wine bars to sample.
If you fancy taking a day trip from Montpellier, Nimes and Avignon are both an easy train ride from the city while it’s an easy journey to the beach from the city centre.
I’d recommend staying in Ecusson if possible as tourists will be just a short walk from all the city’s main attractions.
Looking for a budget break? Check out one of Europe’s least visited countries which is also breathtakingly beautiful.
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