Toulouse and Montpellier are two incredible cities in the south of France. Toulouse is a city of fantastic architecture and is referred to as the “pink city” because of it. Montpellier is known for being one of the most walkable cities in Europe as well as having elegant buildings. If you are trying to decide between Toulouse or Montpellier, here is the ultimate guide to which city you should visit.
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Toulouse or Montpellier Overview
Toulouse
Toulouse is the 4th largest city in France with over 480,000 residents. It was a small Celt village and then the Romans settled here over 2000 years ago. Toulouse has the nickname “The Pink City” because many of the buildings were built using pinkish terracotta bricks which make them look especially pink in the morning and at dusk. The city is known for its aerospace industries. The most famous company based in Toulouse is Airbus which is Boeing’s number one competitor. Many people prefer Toulouse over Paris because of its warmer climate and the cheaper cost of living.
Montpellier
Montpellier is the 8th largest city in France with nearly 300,000 residents living here. The city is home to one of the world’s oldest universities, the University of Montpellier, which was founded in 1292. To this day, Montpellier is known as being a major university student with 1/3 of its residents being students. It is full of boulevards, attractive plazas, and beautiful architecture throughout the city. The 1,000-year-old city center is full of history and narrow pedestrian paths.
Places to See
Toulouse
Basilique Saint-Sernin is the largest Romanesque remaining and Europe and possibly the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Place du Capitole is the central square in Toulouse.
Church of the Jacobins is a large Roman Catholic church. Construction started in 1230 and today it is partially a museum.
Basilica of Our Lady of the Daurade has been rebuilt multiple times throughout the centuries. Originally, it was a temple for Apollo.
Aerospace Museum is a popular museum because Toulouse is known for its presence in the aerospace industry.
Montpellier
Place de la Comédie is Montpellier’s central square. It is one of the largest pedestrian areas in all of Europe.
Montpellier Cathedral is a Gothic-style cathedral that was opened in 1536.
Montpellier Aqueduct was constructed in 1766 to provide water to the city’s many fountains. image
Port du Peyrou is the triumphal arch of Montpellier. It was constructed in 1693. image
Promenade du Peyrou is a paved city square with brilliant views of the city.
Food
Toulouse
Cassoulet is a bean and duck stew that is one of the most traditional dishes you can get in Toulouse. One thing that quickly becomes apparent when you visit Toulouse is that duck is thought extremely highly of here. Canard Confit is a specialty of the French people. It is a dish of duck meat that has been cured in salt and cooked in its fats, making it truly delectable. One of the most popular desserts here is Tarte aux noix which is more or less pecan or walnut pie.
Montpellier
First and foremost, Montpellier is known for its local wines being so close to the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. Be sure to try some local wine when you are here. Clapassade is a dish that originated in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. It is a dish of lamb, honey, olives, and star anise slow-cooked and typically served with white wine. There are many luxury restaurants here but with an abundance of students, you can rest assured that there are many budget-friendly options as well.
Getting Around
Toulouse
Most of the main landmarks in Toulouse are in the center of the city making it easy to explore on foot. If you want to see attractions that are outside of the city center, like Cité de l’Espace, you will want to use public transportation. A single trip on public transport costs 1.70 Euros but you can save some money by buying a 1-day pass for 6.10 Euros and a 3-day pass for 12.20 Euros. Using the network of public bikes is another great way to explore the city. There are over 280 bike stations throughout the city. You can use the bikes for free for the first 30 minutes.
Montpellier
Montpellier is an excellent city to explore on foot because the historic city center doesn’t allow any cars. With narrow streets winding throughout the center of the city, you can just wander around and explore the beauty of Montpellier. If you want to travel outside of the city center you can travel by bus, tram, or metro. All you have to do is get a TaM pass before getting on any mode of public transportation.
Nightlife
Toulouse
One of the best places to go for nightlife is the area around Place Saint Pierre. There are many bars in the center of the city. Some good bars for you to check out is Chez Tonton, La Couleur de la Culotte, and Le Saint des seins. If you want to go clubbing, all of the bigger clubs are located outside of the city center. Some of the best clubs in Toulouse are Opium, Le Purple, and Le Senso. One of the biggest clubs in the city is Discothèque Esméralda but it is quite far out of the way.
Montpellier
With a large population of university students, you can expect a thriving nightlife in Montpellier. Most of the best nightlife can be found in the city center around the Place Jean Jaurés. One of the biggest nightclubs in the city is Infinity SuperClub but beware because the prices here are quite high. I would recommend sticking to the historic city center so you can go bar hopping with ease.
Day Trips
Toulouse
Castries is a beautiful city that sits between Toulouse and Montpellier.
Albi is known for its beautiful setting and the Cathedral Sainte-Cécile which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Montaubon is a city 50km to the north of Toulouse.
Montpellier
Le Grau-du-Roi is a beach resort town to the southeast of Montpellier. If you want a day on the beach this would be a great place to visit.
Nimes is only a short train ride away from Montpellier. It is known for its old Roman ruins.
Sete is a smaller port city to the southwest of Montpellier.
If you visit Toulouse, it would be worth the consideration to visit Bordeaux which is easily accessible from Toulouse. If you visit Montpellier, you may want to take the time to go visit Marseille as well.
Overall
Toulouse has long been known for its art, culture, and unique “pink” architecture as well as becoming the main hub for the European aerospace industry. Montpellier is known for its boulevards, elegant architecture, and for being one of the best cities for walking in France. If you are interested in medieval architecture and the feel of a bigger city you should go to Toulouse. If you want more of a laid back experience of strolling the city center with the possibility of relaxing on the beach, you should go to Montpellier. Both cities are obviously worth visiting.