There is something about the south of France and Mediterranean cities in general that just evokes a sense of tranquillity and relaxation. The same can definitely be said about Montpellier, a small city near the south coast of France in the Occitanie region that we had the pleasure of visiting with the beautiful Domaine de Verchant and Visit Montpellier.

Montpellier is situated on hilly ground 10 km inland from the Mediterranean coast. This means that within less than an hour you can be on the beach enjoying the sun or up in the mountains enjoying some fresh air. The city has a very medieval feel and has a very rich history, but we will get to that later!

Domaine de Verchant

The Domaine de Verchant is a dream hotel for anyone who wants to enjoy a fun, relaxing weekend with delicious food and local wines. The hotel used to be a villa and is surrounded by vineyards, and is definitely a place where you can disconnect from the world. Amongst our favourite features are the 3 swimming pools, the gorgeous spa, the tennis court and the wine tasting cellar.

One of our favourite features of the Domaine de Verchant is definitely La Plage, a charming oasis among the vines and an invitation to escape, relax and unwind. Here you can experience the pleasure of lazing in the sun and you can sample cuisine with a southern French flair by Jérôme Bartoletti. Also, in the evenings La Plage turns into a vibrant beach club where you can enjoy tapas, refreshing cocktails, local DJs and bands. The dream, right?

But the culinary experience of this hotel is not all about La Plage. The Verchant restaurant offers a number of seasonal menus created by the chef where the emphasis is on regional produce and enhanced by a warm, intimate atmosphere.

Montpellier

We have spoken about how gorgeous the Domaine de Verchant is, but anyone who visits this gem will want to spend a day in Montpellier and explore its cobbled streets and its historical buildings.

As mentioned before, Montpellier has a rich history. The place de la Comédie, Montpellier’s iconic heart, is the top place to visit. Once known as the Place de l’Oeuf (Egg Square) because of its oval shape, it is one of the largest pedestrian precincts in Europe and is dominated by the imposing Opéra Comédie. In the centre, the ‘Three Graces’ stand proudly, a fountain and statue built in 1773.

The Musée Fabre is another must visit and is considered to be one of the finest Fine Arts Museums in Europe with its ancient and modern architecture that makes it quite exceptional! It houses European works from the Renaissance to the present day and has a wing devoted exclusively to contemporary artist Pierre Soulages.

Our absolute favourite feature, however, is the numerous tiny medieval streets, which bear testament to its proud past. Rue de la Valfère, Rue du Bras de Fer, Rue de L’Argenterie are sure to take you back in time and introduce you to a whole new world, but it’s really worth just wandering around and finding your own hidden gems and pretty boutiques!

Our favourite hidden gem? It has to be the Jewish Baths! The medieval mikve is a ceremonial Jewish bath dating from the 13th Century. One reminder of the importance of the Jewish community who had played a leading role in the development and influence of Montpellier. It’s situated in the heart of what was once the Jewish quarter and is now one of the best-preserved mikves in Europe.

This crystal clear water is rainwater that comes out through an aperture, symbolizing its passage and the ritual bath is designed for the Jewish rite of purification!

Restaurants and Nightlife

After a day of wandering the city, you must be starting! We have been told that you can’t come to Montpellier and not try one of the numerous restaurants known for their delicious cuisine. There are loads of delicious options (link here), but we would highly recommend the Restaurant Alter-Ego with its stunning design and delicious cuisine. Also, it is situated in one of the trendiest neighbourhoods of Montpellier – le Bassin Jacques Cœur – which means you can have a nice walk to digest your food!

In terms of nightlife, there are a number of bars and clubs that make this city very vibrant. So if you fancy going crazy and having a fun night out, you are definitely in the right place.

Our view

Montpellier and the Domaine de Verchant are absolutely perfect for a relaxing weekend escape in a cool and vibrant city. There is everything you can ask for, from delicious food to historical buildings and the beach is 10 minutes away, but you can also hike in the nearby mountains! We visited this city without massive expectations, but we were absolutely blown away. À bientôt, Montpellier!