Montpellier’s parks: gardens, follies and grand promenades
Montpellier has kept some fine reminders of its green past: the oldest botanical garden in France, a royal promenade, folly estates on the edge of town and the garrigue a quarter of an hour away. Here is where to walk in the shade, have a picnic or let the children run free.
Jardin des Plantes
The oldest botanical garden in France, founded in 1593 to train medical students. You wander between the montagne de Richer de Belleval, a terraced mound almost as old as the garden itself, the Martins glasshouse and the lotus pond. Entry is free. A precious patch of shade right in the centre, a stone’s throw from the Peyrou.
Boulevard Henri IV, 34000 Montpellier
Coming up here: Montpellier Enquête sur Meurtre: Résolvez le Cas! (11 November to 31 December), Exposition du Duo : Xolo Cuintle (11 November to 19 December), La Tour Urbain V de la Cathédrale (until 13 March)
Promenade du Peyrou
Laid out in the 18th century around the equestrian statue of Louis XIV, this is the highest point of the Écusson, the old town. At one end stands the triumphal arch, at the other the water tower where the Saint-Clément aqueduct arrived, and you can follow its arches all the way to the Arceaux. Wide avenues and open views over the city and the hills beyond: the Sunday stroll par excellence.
Place Royale du Peyrou, 34000 Montpellier
Coming up here: Les Foulées Solidaires Montpellier (Saturday 14 Nov), Les Dimanches du Peyrou (until 31 January), Jeux de Piste pour Enfants 8-12 Ans - sur les Chemins de Traverse (Saturday 21 Nov)
Domaine de Méric
The family estate of the painter Frédéric Bazille, who drew on it for several of his canvases. The park steps down in terraces towards the River Lez, through Mediterranean woodland, century-old trees and an English-style garden, with the remains of old mills by the water. The manor house is closed to visitors, but the park is open. About ten minutes’ walk from the tram.
634 rue de Ferran, 34090 Montpellier
Parc Montcalm
A 21-hectare former military ground turned into a big neighbourhood park. Tree-lined paths, a large lawn, playgrounds, and a sports area where people play basketball, pétanque and even tambourin, the ball game the Hérault is so proud of. Ideal for a run, a bike ride or a lie-down on the grass.
104 avenue de Toulouse, 34070 Montpellier
Domaine d’O
In the north-west of the city, 23 hectares around the Château d’O, an 18th-century Montpellier folly with its ornamental pools and fountains. Mediterranean gardens, a century-old pine wood, an olive grove: picnic in the shade of the pines, then stay on for a show if you fancy it, as the estate also hosts festivals and theatre. Tram 1, Château d’O stop.
178 rue de la Carriérasse, 34090 Montpellier
Coming up here: Nocturne (Parade) (18 to 21 November), Flottante (until 20 March), Paradoxe (10 to 12 December)
Domaine de Restinclières
A quarter of an hour north of Montpellier, in Prades-le-Lez, the Hérault département opens up 240 hectares of garrigue, woodland and rivers around a château that houses the Maison départementale de l’environnement and its nature exhibitions. Waymarked trails and picnic areas: a real breath of country air. Best reached by car or by bike.
Lieu-dit Restinclières, 34730 Prades-le-Lez
Coming up here: Présentation Exposition Horizon Mer : Vivre, Découvrir, Protéger (11 November to 8 January), Les Mercredis des Océans : Visites Guidées des Expositions pour Enfants (18 November to 16 December)
Updated 10 November 2026.