Montpellier’s museums, from Soulages to the Gauls
Montpellier loves art, and much of it costs nothing to see. A major fine arts museum, two contemporary art centres, a pavilion given over to photography, an archaeological site and a place for the very young: enough to fill a weekend away from the beach.
Musée Fabre
One of France’s great fine arts museums, on the edge of the Esplanade. More than a thousand works on show, from the Renaissance to the present day: Courbet, local boy Frédéric Bazille, and whole rooms given over to Pierre Soulages, with 34 of his canvases. Allow two hours, longer if you have a weakness for deep blacks.
39 boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, 34000 Montpellier
Coming up here: Agora des Savoirs (until 13 January), Exposition Rock Ecanto - la Distillerie (10 November to 31 December), Atelier Crochet par Tsiky (18 to 24 November)
MO.CO.
Near Saint-Roch station, a grand early 19th-century town house devoted to contemporary art. There is no permanent collection, just three big exhibitions a year. Between shows the building closes while the next one is installed, so check before you come. The Jardin des cinq continents, a world map made of plants by Bertrand Lavier, runs alongside the building.
13 rue de la République, 34000 Montpellier
Coming up here: Exposition - Je Suis le Fantôme de Mon Propre Opéra aux Lisières Brutes de l’Art (until 2 May)
MO.CO. Panacée
Right in the Écusson, the old town, in the former faculty of pharmacy: a contemporary art centre whose exhibitions change several times a year. Entry is free and the inner courtyard is made for lingering. Just under an hour is enough to see it all, squeezed in between errands in town.
14 rue de l’École de Pharmacie, 34000 Montpellier
Coming up here: Hôtel de Grave (12 November to 23 December), Exposition Rock Ecanto - la Distillerie (10 November to 31 December), Atelier Crochet par Tsiky (18 to 24 November)
Pavillon Populaire
A neo-Renaissance pavilion from 1891 set on the Esplanade, given over entirely to photography. Three big exhibitions a year, always shown here for the first time, and entry is free. Guided tours are on offer, some of them designed for families. Allow about an hour, ideal before or after the Musée Fabre, a stone’s throw away.
Esplanade Charles de Gaulle, 34000 Montpellier
Coming up here: The Jury Experience – une Sortie en Mer Fatale (until 17 January), Congrès Preuves et Pratiques 2026 (Saturday 28 Nov), Samuel Bambi - Montpellier (Sunday 29 Nov, 6 pm)
Lattara archaeological site and Musée Henri Prades
In Lattes, on the edge of Montpellier, you can walk round Lattara, a Gaulish port that opened onto the Mediterranean, and the museum showing what the digs have unearthed: pottery, everyday objects, traces of trade with the Greeks and the Etruscans. A good day out for children who dream of archaeology. Take tram 3 to Lattes.
390 route de Pérols, 34970 Lattes
Coming up here: Exposition "Banquets Méditerranéens Entre Grecs, Étrusques et Gaulois" (until 1 February)
mille formes
An art centre designed for children aged 0 to 6 and their parents, with the backing of the Centre Pompidou. Two galleries tailored to different ages, a room for shows, a book corner and a café. It is free and open to all, and workshops are booked online. Perfect for a rainy morning with little ones.
1 place Paul Bec, 34000 Montpellier
Coming up here: Mille Formes - Saison 2 (until 21 February)
Updated 10 November 2026.