MileHacker Logo
Day Trips & Excursions

Day Trips & Excursions

Languedoc Roussillon, France

Nearby Destinations

Sète (approx. 30 km / 20 miles): This charming fishing port features canals and is renowned for its seafood, especially oysters. Sometimes called the "Venice of Languedoc."

Nîmes (approx. 50 km / 30 miles): A city rich in Roman heritage. It features an incredibly well-preserved amphitheater (Arènes de Nîmes), the Maison Carrée temple, and the beautiful Jardins de la Fontaine.

Other Destinations

  • Pont du Gard: A spectacular ancient Roman aqueduct, an UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Aigues-Mortes: A perfectly preserved medieval walled city, famous for its salt marshes.
  • Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert: A beautiful medieval village, one of France's "Most Beautiful Villages," and an UNESCO site.
  • Cirque de Navacelles: A stunning natural amphitheater, an UNESCO World Heritage site.

Transportation & Planning

Consider your travel style and available time when planning excursions.

Transportation Options

Many destinations are accessible by public transport or car. Choose based on your itinerary.

Details

  • Sète, Nîmes, Aigues-Mortes, Béziers: Direct TER trains from Montpellier Saint-Roch.
  • Pont du Gard, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert: Buses from Nîmes or Montpellier for some access.
  • Pont du Gard, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Cirque de Navacelles: Often best by car for direct access.

Tour vs. Independent Travel

Decide if an organized tour or independent travel suits your preferences.

Considerations

  • Independent Travel: Greater flexibility and often more economical for single destinations.
  • Organized Tours: Convenience for multiple sites. Less flexibility in time spent at each place.
  • Find Day Trips: Browse GetYourGuide for options.

Time & Itinerary Suggestions

Duration per Visit

  • Half-day trips: Sète or Aigues-Mortes.
  • Full-day excursions: Nîmes, Pont du Gard, or Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert.
  • Consider time for travel between sites.

Example Combinations

  • Nîmes and Pont du Gard in a single day.
  • Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert with the Gorges de l'Hérault.
  • Avoid over-scheduling multiple distant sites in one day.
  • Research opening hours for each site.

Regional Exploration Costs

  • Train Ticket (Montpellier-Sète)€5-€10
  • Train Ticket (Montpellier-Nîmes)€10-€15
  • Bus Ticket (Local/Regional)€1-€5
  • Car Rental (Daily, excluding fuel)€30-€60
  • Pont du Gard Entrance€9.50-€18 (car)
  • Nîmes Arena Entrance€10-€15
  • Organized Half-Day Tour€40-€70
  • Organized Full-Day Tour€70-€120

Tip for Day Trips

For maximum freedom, specifically when visiting multiple natural or historical sites without direct train connections, a rental car can be beneficial. Public transport works well for major cities.

Natural & Cultural Excursions

The region around Montpellier has diverse natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

Camargue Regional Natural Park

Known for its wetlands, flamingos, wild horses, and bulls. Ideal for birdwatching and photography.

Grands Causses Regional Natural Park

Rugged limestone plateaus and deep gorges. A contrasting landscape further inland.

Pic Saint-Loup

An iconic mountain for hiking and wine tasting. Dominates the northern skyline.

Scenic & Activity Spots

Explore natural wonders for outdoor recreation.

Locations

  • Gorges de l'Hérault: River gorges ideal for canoeing and swimming.
  • Lac du Salagou: A large lake with unique red earth landscapes.
  • Beaches: Palavas-les-Flots, Carnon-Plage, La Grande Motte, Le Grau-du-Roi.

Cultural Sites Beyond Montpellier

Extend your cultural journey to nearby historical cities.

Remarkable Destinations

  • Carcassonne: A spectacular fortified medieval city (UNESCO).
  • Arles: Another Roman city, inspiration for Van Gogh, with amphitheater and theater.
  • Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert: A stop on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route.

Seasonal & Rural Highlights

Flamingos in Camargue:Most visible during spring and autumn migration.
Cévennes National Park:Offers serious hiking and a rugged, wild environment.
Pic Saint-Loup Villages:Quaint villages in vineyards with wine tasting.
Cévennes Villages:Remote, traditional villages in mountainous landscape.
Languedoc Vineyards:Sprawling vineyards for exploration and tasting.
Coastal Mountains:Pyrenees for mountain exploration.

Nature Insight

  • The region's diversity from coast to mountains presents distinct experiences.
  • Spring and autumn bring pleasant weather for outdoor pursuits.
  • Always check local conditions for hiking or water activities.
  • Wineries in the Pic Saint-Loup area welcome visitors for tastings.
  • Respect natural spaces and wildlife during your visit.

Multi-Day Extensions

Add extra days to your trip to explore wider regions of France or nearby countries.

Provence & Côte d'Azur

Head east to explore iconic cities and glamorous coastal towns.

Destinations

  • Avignon (Popes' Palace).
  • Aix-en-Provence.
  • Marseille, Nice, Cannes.

Pyrenees & Spanish Border

Journey southwest to mountains, castles, and a cross-border adventure.

Destinations

  • Pyrenees mountains.
  • Medieval Cathar castles.
  • Barcelona, Spain.

Dordogne & Bordeaux

Head northwest for a different facet of France with rich history and world-renowned vineyards.

Exploration Focus

  • Prehistoric caves.
  • Medieval castles.
  • World-renowned vineyards.

Logical Next Destinations

Where to go after Montpellier.

Nearby Hubs

  • East: Avignon, Marseille, Nice.
  • West: Toulouse, Carcassonne, Bordeaux.
  • South: Barcelona (Spain).

Transportation & Routes for Longer Journeys

France's train network makes multi-region exploration easy.

Train Connections

All these destinations are well-connected by France's extensive train network (SNCF).

Car Rental Freedom

Car rental is a good option for exploring regions more deeply, offering flexibility for rural areas.

Suggested Routes

Combine Montpellier with a loop through Provence (Avignon, Arles, Aix-en-Provence) or link it with a trip along the coast to the French Riviera.

Consider your pace

Longer trips allow for a slower pace and more thorough cultural immersion, but they do mean more planning.