Blog
Discovering Montpellier without breaking the bank is entirely possible: whether you’re staying in the region thanks to a cheap campsite booking or visiting the city for the day, you’ll easily find a cheap activity in Montpellier, and even several free things to do in Montpellier. So, what can you do without blowing your leisure budget? Which free activities in Montpellier are really worth the detour, and which paid outings remain affordable? Here are 10 simple ideas to make the most of it at the best price!
The Musée Fabre is one of the must-dos for a cheap activity in Montpellier. Its collections trace several centuries of art history, from classicism to contemporary art, with works by Courbet, Soulages, Delacroix and many others. You can spend an hour there, or even a whole afternoon, depending on your mood. It’s an ideal visit for mixing culture, relaxation and discovery, even on a small budget!
Address: Musée Fabre – Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, 34000 Montpellier
Price: around €9 for adults / reduced rate depending on the period / free for certain visitors (subject to conditions)
Our tip: if you want to enjoy the museum without the crowds, arrive right at opening time (11am).
You can’t visit the city without passing through Place de la Comédie. It’s the perfect starting point for a cheap activity in Montpellier: admire the theatre, enjoy the terraces, watch the street performers, take a few photos or simply stroll towards Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle. Lively from morning to night, it’s the ideal spot to feel the energy of Montpellier without spending a single euro. A genuinely free thing to do in Montpellier, perfect as a couple, with family or with friends!
Address: Place de la Comédie, 34000 Montpellier
Price: free
Our tip: take the little street leading to the Tour de la Babote (just behind the cinemas). You’ll often find temporary exhibitions there, plus a viewpoint for photographing the city.
Parc de Lunaret is one of the most popular free activities in Montpellier. This open-air zoo is home to hundreds of animals: zebras, lions, giraffes, exotic birds… Thanks to its vast shaded grounds and accessible paths, you can easily spend several hours there. A perfect outing if you’re staying at a cheap campsite in Occitanie and looking for a cheap activity in Montpellier!
Address: 50 Avenue Agropolis, 34090 Montpellier
Price: Free zoo entry / access to the Amazon greenhouse costs extra (around €3)
Our tip: download the zoo map as a PDF free from the website before you go. This lets you find out feeding times for the animals (zebras, lemurs…), which change with the seasons.
Just 15 minutes from Montpellier, the Rochers de Maguelone park offers 19 treetop adventure courses in a forest of century-old oak trees. Accessible from age 3, you’ll climb, slide, swing and sometimes finish with a giant zip line. An ideal outing for anyone looking for a cheap activity in Montpellier while enjoying nature.
Address: Les Rochers de Maguelone – Chemin de la Diligence, 34750 Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone
Price: from €17 for children (unlimited access to the courses)
Our tip: bring water, so you avoid having to buy several drinks at the refreshment stand, especially in hot weather.
Created in the 16th century by the University of Medicine, the Jardin des Plantes is a free thing to do in Montpellier not to be missed. There you’ll discover bamboo, greenhouses, aromatic plants, century-old trees, ponds and even a tree where you can make a wish. The perfect spot for a peaceful break with a nice snack as part of a cheap activity in Montpellier, combining botanical discovery with a stroll right in the heart of the city.
Address: Boulevard Henri IV, 34000 Montpellier
Price: Free
Our tip: look for the century-old hackberry tree near the pond: it’s the local botanists’ favourite tree. Its trunk bears old markings left by medical students over many generations.
Located in the heart of the historic centre, Cathédrale Saint-Pierre impresses with its southern Gothic architecture and its huge porch supported by massive pillars. Listed as a Historic Monument, it has stood the test of centuries and is one of the must-see free things to do in Montpellier. Inside, you can admire large religious paintings, including a remarkable work by the Montpellier-born painter Sébastien Bourdon. An ideal walk after the Jardin des Plantes or the Faculty of Medicine, to enrich your stay with a cheap activity in Montpellier.
Address: 1 Rue Saint-Pierre, 34000 Montpellier
Price: Free
Our tip: look out for the painting “The Fall of Simon Magus”, at the back of the church. Right next to it, a QR code (provided by the city) lets you listen to a free explanation via podcast, with no guided tour needed.
Fancy a mix of strategy, adrenaline and laughter? Laser Game Odyssey, located at Odysseum, offers team games in a dark maze where you have to target your opponents with a laser gun. It’s one of the most fun and accessible outings for anyone looking for a cheap activity in Montpellier. With family, friends or even colleagues, you can pick your nickname, put on your gear and try to score as many points as possible. A great way to mix things up from bowling and have fun without blowing your holiday leisure budget!
Address: Laser Game Evolution Montpellier – Odysseum leisure hub, 34000 Montpellier
Price: from €9 for a 20-minute game (reduced rates depending on the day and special offers) – accessible from age 7.
Looking for a fun and original outing with the kids? Goolfy offers a glow-in-the-dark mini-golf course decorated with colourful neon lights on various themes (dinosaurs, oceans, jungle…). You play as a family or with friends in a glowing, playful atmosphere. Each course has 18 easy-to-understand holes, making this cheap activity in Montpellier accessible to young and old alike!
Address: Goolfy – Odysseum, 2 Place de France, 34000 Montpellier
Price: €8 per person for the 18-hole round
Our tip: quietly watch out for the stroke guides painted on the ground (small glowing arrows). Many players don’t notice them, but they show the exact angle for a hole-in-one.
Just a few minutes from the city centre, Bowling de Montpellier (La Pompignane) has 16 lanes open to everyone: children, groups of friends, couples or families. You’ll also find pool tables, karaoke and even blind tests there. The ideal spot to spend a good time somewhere cool (or warm in winter). An excellent cheap activity in Montpellier to take your mind off things and share a fun moment.
Address: 662 Avenue de la Pompignane, 34000 Montpellier
Price: from €5 a game on weekday afternoons (shoe hire included)
Our tip: book at least 2 hours ahead by phone (required).
The Aqueduc Saint-Clément, nicknamed “les Arceaux”, is one of the most impressive sites in Montpellier. Built in the 18th century to supply the city with water, it stretches nearly 800 metres and runs through a lively, much-loved neighbourhood. You can stroll freely, settle on the grass nearby or walk around on market days. A perfect idea for a photo break, a picnic or a cheap activity in Montpellier, just a few steps from the historic centre.
Address: Les Arceaux district, 34000 Montpellier
Price: Free
Our tip: go on a Tuesday or Saturday morning — it’s market day!
To make the most of these affordable activities in Montpellier, remember to book your cheap campsite accommodation in Montpellier: the ideal way to see more, spend less and enjoy the region to the fullest!
