Rooftops in Montpellier: the city on the Lez seen from above
A fast-growing Mediterranean city
France's seventh most populous city, Montpellier stretches between the hills of the hinterland and the Mediterranean, which lies only about ten kilometres away. Crossed by the Lez, the capital of the Hérault lives to the rhythm of a Mediterranean climate that invites you to spend your evenings outdoors, and of one of the largest student populations in the country. Its faculty of medicine, founded in 1220, is the oldest still in operation anywhere in the world.
At the heart of the city, the Écusson, the historic centre named after its shield-like shape, is almost entirely pedestrianised. Its narrow streets link place de la Comédie, the Arc de Triomphe and the promenade du Peyrou, the city's highest point at 57 metres, from where the view reaches as far as the Saint-Clément aqueduct.
From tiled roofs to contemporary districts
Seen from above, Montpellier has two faces. On one side, a sea of tiled roofs from which rise the towers of Saint-Pierre Cathedral and the tall spire of the church of Sainte-Anne. On the other, the districts that have extended the city eastwards and towards the sea: Antigone, designed by the architect Ricardo Bofill in a style inspired by ancient Greece, then Port Marianne, on the left bank of the Lez, home to the new city hall and the Arbre Blanc, a 17-storey building designed by Sou Fujimoto and completed in 2019. To the north, the 658-metre Pic Saint-Loup closes off the horizon and can be glimpsed from many points around the city.
Where to get a view from above in Montpellier
Around the Écusson: rooftop pools
Near the historic centre, two hotels have set up their rooftops on the eighth floor. A few minutes from Saint-Roch station, Nonna Gioia, on the roof of the JOST Hôtel, brings together a spritz bar, antipasti and a pool every spring, with 360° views over the city. Between place de la Comédie and Antigone, Le Vertigo Rooftop crowns the Pullman La Pléiade with a glass-walled restaurant and a poolside terrace that is open all year round.
Port Marianne: above the Lez
Opposite the city hall, Miranove occupies the top two levels of an aparthotel: an open-air rooftop on the 6th floor for cocktails and tapas, and a panoramic dining room on the 7th for lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch, with the banks of the Lez and the Arbre Blanc in view.
Le Rooftop du Lez: it's about the vibe, not the height
At the Marché du Lez, a former brownfield site turned into a lively hub, the roof of the Halles du Lez brings together several venues. In summer, Toi Toit Mon Toit spreads out a plant-filled terrace there, facing the Pic Saint-Loup, with Asian fusion cuisine. The roof is not very high: people come for the atmosphere, which builds as soon as the sun goes down.
Cocktails and food up high
Flavours from the South and beyond
Montpellier's rooftops give pride of place to the Mediterranean: bistronomy with a Sète accent, Italian antipasti, tapas to share. The journey continues with the Asian fusion cuisine of the Marché du Lez. At the bar, cocktails are often affordable, at around €11 to €14 on most menus, with spritzes, house creations and alcohol-free versions.
Music and nights out
Partying is part of the experience: DJ sets, concerts, themed nights and, in summer, pool parties on the roof of the JOST Hôtel. Several venues can also be hired privately for after-work drinks or a corporate evening.
A rooftop for every occasion
As a couple or with friends
For a dinner for two, the glass-walled dining room at Le Vertigo or the 7th floor of Miranove offer a calmer setting, facing the city lights. For a night out with friends, the Rooftop du Lez and Nonna Gioia lend themselves to long aperitifs to the sound of DJs.
With family or colleagues
Miranove is happy to welcome families, with a children's menu and high chairs, and has meeting rooms for seminars. Companies will also find what they need on the roof of the JOST Hôtel or at the Marché du Lez, where spaces can be booked for groups.
Getting around easily
With its five tram lines, Montpellier makes it easy to hop from one rooftop to the next: Rondelet stop for Nonna Gioia, Antigone for Le Vertigo, Moularès – Hôtel de Ville for Miranove and Pablo Picasso for the Marché du Lez, which also has car parks.
Tips for making the most of Montpellier's rooftops
Choosing your season and time
Some of Montpellier's rooftops are seasonal: Nonna Gioia reopens in spring and closes in autumn, while Toi Toit Mon Toit is open from May to September. Others, such as Le Vertigo with its terrace covered and heated in winter, can be enjoyed all year round. Opening hours change with the seasons and some venues only welcome the public from late afternoon, so it is best to check them before you go. To catch the sunset over the tiled roofs or the Pic Saint-Loup, arriving early in the evening is still the best strategy.
Photo : G.Mannaerts / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
