Great Places to Visit in Montpellier & LGBT City Guide

Why you should go to Montpellier!

Built on two hills, the capital of the Languedoc-Rousillion region vies for a top spot on France's list of LGBTQ cities and enjoys a balmy Mediterranean climate with near 300 days of sunshine a year and some of the best gay beach destinations nearby.
The city itself has loads of charm, a beautiful medieval old town and a youthful university culture as home to several universities including one of Europe's oldest.
Founded during feudal France, Montpellier is first mentioned in documents dating to 985 and grew into a flourishing trading center, accompanied by a tradition of tolerance and multiculturalism. During the 1960s, it welcomed French settlers from Algeria after the country's independence from France. In 2013, Vincent Autin and Bruno Boileau exchanged vows at Montpellier City Hall, celebrating France's first gay marriage in front of more than 500 guests.
Supported by strong LGBTQ community and business, the city has quite a lot on offer with art house theaters welcoming LGBT film festivals, broad plazas with sunny café terraces, a deep selection of gay and friendly nightlife, chic boutiques, antique shops, Southern French bistros and delightful hôtel particuliers housed in 19th century mansions.

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At a glance

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Things to do (6)

Nightlife (8)

Hotels (5)

Restaurants (10)

At a glance

Café de la Mer

Nightlife

For over 20 years, Le Café de la Mer was the gay bar in Montpellier, anchoring the beautiful Marché aux Fleurs square in the historic center. Under new ownership, the service may sometimes be lacking, but the café has not shed much of its popularity and now draws a wider crowd of all persuasions to its large terrace,...

Jardin des Plantes

Activity

Established in 1593 by royal edict of Henry IV, Montpellier's Jardin des Plantes is France's oldest botanical garden and the inspiration for the Jardin des Plantes in...

Le Cubix

Nightlife

This friendly wine bar for men has a good selection of tapas early on and puts on theme nights and electro dance parties attended by a regular crowd of bearded 30 pluses.

Show Girlz

Nightlife

For girls who like girls, Show Girlz organizes regular themed parties at Addict Klub, with an often beautiful and lively crowd.

Château de Flaugergues

Activity

One of the "follies" built by the new aristocracy and court advisors of the 17th century, this beautifully constructed and restored chateau is surrounded by immaculate...

Hotel d'Aragon

Hotel

The popular Hotel d'Aragon is a charming boutique hotel that benefits from a privileged position in the city center and is run by helpful hosts Philippe and Thierry....

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Hotel des Arceaux

Hotel

Just minutes from the old town, Hotel des Arceaux is a charming 18-room hotel set in a 19th-century mansion with a shaded garden, sun terrace and snack bar. Trendy and...

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Koncept Sauna

Nightlife

This neighborhood sauna standby with Jacuzzi, bar, sauna, steam, sling and spinning table turns up the heat with themed nights including hot sex, nudist,...

L' Artichaut

Restaurant

In the spirit of a neo-bistro, the Michelin guide-rated Artichaut is recommended for creative and seasonal Mediterranean cuisine, based on a rotating menu of fresh produce.

La Panacée

Activity

This contemporary cultural center located in historic downtown hosts rotating exhibits, performance art, workshops and talks.

La Robe Rouge

Restaurant

Modern furnishings contrast with the old stone walls inside this fashionable wine-champagne-tapas bar on a cute plaza in the old town. Outdoors the popular...

Le Disini

Restaurant

The kitchen of Le Disini hotel is headed up by Chef Ludovic Dumont who prepares regional cuisine served in a Balinese-styled dining room. Located near Castries,...

Le Heaven

Nightlife

Le Heaven is largely for men and one of the oldest gay bars in the city. It draws in a crowd of young men with daily happy hours and has a small dance floor for warm ups before hitting the club. Although male-dominated, women are also welcomed by a festive and friendly atmosphere.

Le Lérot

Restaurant

This local brasserie is a good stop for a wallet-friendly plat du jour in the Antigone neighborhood close to the Polygone mall. Food is simple and straight forward, think steak frites, hamburger or an onion omelette.

Le Marvelous

Restaurant

Le Marvelous is a gay restaurant and bar that pays tongue-in-cheek homage to comic book superheroes in tight and revealing outfits. The menu is a mix of sandwiches,...

Le Moom

Nightlife

Near Jean Jaurès square, Le Moom is a downtown club with nightly theme parties kicking off at midnight with a dance floor and restaurant lounge on a mezzanine level open...

Le Pré Vert

Restaurant

Le Pré Vert opens its terrace of colorful chairs and blackboard menus from May to October for al fresco dining in the shade of the gothic Sainte Anne church. The tea room's dishes are fresh and local with an inviting selection of salads, plat du jours, children's options and desserts. Don't miss the Sunday...

Le Up!

Nightlife

For patrons looking for an atypical night out, Le Up! is a colorful musical- and hetero-friendly bar that starts the night with happy hour jazz, soul or acoustic pop and graduates to varied musically theme nights from disco and R&B to deep house and Latin music.

Le Vieux Four

Restaurant

Open since 1976, Le Vieux Four is a Montpellier institution housed in a former 19th century bakery in the old town. A short menu of traditional Southern French cuisine...

Les 4 Étoiles

Hotel

This upscale and very gay-friendly bed and breakfast offers a calm retreat in the heart of Montpellier's Arceaux neighborhood. Its four rooms are tastefully outfitted...

Les Bains de Montpellier

Restaurant

Tucked behind the Molière Theater and steps from the Place de la Comédie, Les Bains de Montpellier first opened as public baths in 1770. Since 1998, Guy Falco transformed the building into a convivial restaurant with a parasol-covered interior courtyard and a nice selection of carpaccios, ample salads, grilled meats and...

Musée Fabre

Activity

Founded in 1828 by Montpellier painter François-Xavier Fabre, the Musée Fabre houses a permanent collection of important works from the 15th to 20th century from...

Porte du Peyrou

Activity

The Porte du Peyrou is a triumphal arch in the city center. Completed in 1695, it glorifies the reign of Louis XIV and his military conquests with beautifully sculpted...

Rex Club Sauna

Nightlife

Opened by Montpellier's "sex pope" Mr. Rex right off the Place de la Comédie, this libertine sauna is a respectful place of tolerance, open to all people of all...

Rue du Bras de Fer

Activity

Rue du Bras de Fer, which translates as Iron Arm Street, is a charming medieval alley with a XIV century gothic arch connecting Castellane plaza and Ancient-Courrier...

Saveurs et Sens

Restaurant

A Michelin Restaurants favorite, Saveurs et Sens serves up inventively plated and refined regional cuisine based on market fresh ingredients in an intimate setting at affordable prices. Try the Quercy Duck or the Aubrac beef. Special romantic dinners available with advanced reservation and subject to availability. Not...