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Europe France Montpellier Do & See Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone

Overview

Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone

The guide was updated: 2024-09-17

Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, situated a few miles south of Montpellier, is home to a magical lagoon landscape with beaches, sand dunes, islands, and a massive 17th-century cathedral. There are plenty of relaxing and active pursuits to explore in the area — from water sports to bird watching.

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Address: Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, France

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

Montpellier Cathedral

Montpellier Cathedral

A national monument of France, this Roman Catholic cathedral, dedicated to Saint Peter, was originally founded as a church in 1364 and later became a cathedral in 1536. The architectural marvel is built in the Gothic style and captivates visitors with its stunning features, including beautiful stained glass, old religious paintings, and an attached garden.

Roquefort Société Caves

Roquefort Société Caves

To explore the Roquefort Société Caves, you must venture a bit off the beaten path, approximately 1 1/2 hours northwest of Montpellier. The prime period to witness the cheeses ripening in the caves spans from January through July. However, access to the caves remains available throughout the entire year.

Place de la Comédie

Place de la Comédie

Place de la Comédie, situated in the heart of Montpellier, is a bustling and iconic square that serves as the vibrant focal point of the city. Also known as 'Place de l'oeuf' (Square Egg) due to its oval shape, the square is surrounded by stunning architectural landmarks, including the Opéra Comédie and the Three Graces fountain. A lively hub of activity, Place de la Comédie is adorned with outdoor cafés, restaurants, shops, and street performers, making it a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists.

Notre-Dame des Tables

Notre-Dame des Tables

The original church was destroyed during the religious wars of the 16th century, but it is still an exciting historical destination. The name, Notre-Dame des Tables, comes from the tables of the currency exchange that was linked to the spice trade, originally located in front of the church.

Musée Atger

Musée Atger

Situated within the Department of Medicine, the museum holds the distinction of being the oldest in the city. It houses a remarkable collection of historic European drawings, paintings, and manuscripts. This extensive assortment was meticulously gathered by the collector Xavier Atger and features works by renowned artists such as Rubens, Tiepolo, Carracci, and Fragonard.

Jardin des Plantes

Jardin des Plantes

Pierre Richer de Belleval founded France’s oldest botanical garden in 1593. Today, it is a charming array of tropical greenhouses, ancient trees and worn benches. The ancient trees provide plenty of shaded areas to make it a sought-after spot in the heat of summer.

Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone

Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone

Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, situated a few miles south of Montpellier, is home to a magical lagoon landscape with beaches, sand dunes, islands, and a massive 17th-century cathedral. There are plenty of relaxing and active pursuits to explore in the area — from water sports to bird watching.

Espiguette Beach

Espiguette Beach

Espiguette Beach is a tranquil and low-key destination, known for its long, wide expanse of sandy shores. The shallow waters make it safe environment for younger swimmers. While this beach becomes a popular and bustling spot during the summer, the serene atmosphere and expansive coastline make it well worth a visit.

Musée Fabre

Musée Fabre

One of the biggest museums in France, exhibiting nearly 800 works with Flemish, Dutch, Italian, Spanish and French collections. Admire works from the 16th-18th centuries from painters like Zurbaran, Reynolds, Tenier, Veronese and Monet. On display are ceramics, sculptures and contemporary paintings.

Planet Ocean World

Planet Ocean World

It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in town, and no wonder why — it contains 3,500 animals from nearly 300 species which fills the 24 pools. Beyond its impressive marine life collection, the aquarium offers a unique experience with various marine landscapes and features cutting-edge exhibits, including storm and hurricane simulators.

Montpellier Zoological Park

Montpellier Zoological Park

Montpellier Zoological Park, sprawling across an 80-hectare site, boasts an impressive collection with 141 species and over 1350 animals. This expansive and diverse habitat offers a delightful experience for visitors, combining the joys of nature with the opportunity to observe a wide array of wildlife.

Musée des Dinosaures

Musée des Dinosaures

Situated in an authentic paleontological site, this dinosaur park stands as the largest in Europe, making it an exceptional day trip from Montpellier. Combining real fossil displays with life-size dinosaur models, including the impressive 25-metre-long Brachiosaurus, the park offers a captivating and educational experience for visitors of all ages.

Château de la Mogère

Château de la Mogère

Located on the outskirts of Montpellier, Château de la Mogère is a magnificent 18th-century castle surrounded by sprawling gardens and vineyards. This historic estate, once a residence of Montpellier nobility, showcases classic French architecture with its elegant façade and meticulously landscaped grounds. The château is renowned for its well-preserved interiors, featuring lavish furnishings and period details that offer a glimpse into the aristocratic lifestyle of the past. Visitors can explore the beautiful gardens, adorned with fountains and sculptures, and savour the charm of this enchanting castle.

Europark Indoor

Europark Indoor

Europark, the largest indoor children's entertainment park in France, offers a paradise for children up to 13 years old. Packed with a plethora of activities, young visitors can indulge in delights such as swimming in the ball pool, exhilarating slides, bouncing on trampolines, and much more.

Pavillon Populaire

Pavillon Populaire

This hard-to-miss building, located in very close proximity to the Tourist Office, regularly hosts a wealth of photography exhibitions featuring the works of local and international photographers. Expositions change frequently, so stop by to see what is on display when you're in town.

Pic Saint-Loup

Pic Saint-Loup

Pic Saint-Loup is the highest observation point in the Montpellier area and a perfect place to go for a rewarding hike. As you ascend, the true reward unveils at the summit, where lush valleys stretch out below, offering breathtaking panoramic views.

Le Petit Paradis De Vendargues

Le Petit Paradis De Vendargues

This lovely animal farm is located just outside of Montpellier, only a short drive northeast of the city. Animal inhabitants of the farm include alpacas, pigs, donkeys, goats, adorable ponies and more — all rather friendly. Plus, boat rides or pedal boats, inflatable structures and games for children.

Wine Tours

Wine Tours

There are multiple companies offering wine tours to wineries in the Montpellier area. Some include a visit to an olive farm (and other activities), followed by a tour of one of the regional wineries, which usually includes a wine-tasting session. One company organising tours of this kind is Montpellier Wine Tours.

Carré Sainte Anne

Carré Sainte Anne

From the outside, Carré Sainte Anne deceptively looks like just another church. Those who do venture inside, however, will be surprised to see the refurbished space that has been turned into a contemporary exhibition pavilion, with expositions designed to resonate with the unusual nature of the space.

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