Rent a Motorhome in Montpellier with Campcruisers

Your Adventure Begins: Discover the Heart of Montpellier

Welcome to Montpellier, the vibrant heart of the Occitanie region in southern France! Nestled just a few kilometres from the Mediterranean coast, this city is the perfect starting point for your campervan adventure. When you rent a motorhome in Montpellier, you unlock a world of sun-drenched landscapes, rich history, and cultural treasures.

Geography and Vibe
Montpellier is strategically located between the sea and the rugged Cévennes mountains. The Lez river flows through the eastern part of the city, adding to its charm. With a population of around 300,000 people, including a large student community of over 70,000, Montpellier has a youthful, energetic, and progressive atmosphere. Its medieval streets buzz with life, lined with charming cafés, boutiques, and sun-filled squares. To truly experience this dynamic region, the flexibility you get when you rent a camper in Montpellier is unbeatable.

A Dive into History
Unlike many other major cities in the south, Montpellier has no Roman heritage. It was founded in the 10th century and quickly grew into a prosperous trading hub, famous for its prestigious medical university, one of the oldest in the world, which was established in the 12th century. The city has seen its share of history, from being a stronghold of Protestantism (Huguenots) to its modern-day status as a capital of culture and technology. You'll feel this history in the narrow streets of the old town, the Écusson. Famous figures like the philosopher Auguste Comte and the poet Paul Valéry have called Montpellier home.

Weather and Best Time to Travel
Montpellier enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, damp winters. The city boasts over 300 days of sunshine a year! The best time to rent a motorhome in Montpellier is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). During these months, the weather is perfectly warm for exploring, the tourist crowds are smaller than in the peak of summer (July-August), and the natural scenery is at its most beautiful. This makes it ideal for road trips, whether you're heading to the beach or into the mountains. For those seeking a unique adventure, you can even rent a 4x4 camper in Montpellier to explore the more rugged backcountry trails of the region.

Montpellier's Treasures: Sights, Activities, and Surroundings

Once you've picked up your keys and are ready to explore, Montpellier and its surroundings offer a wealth of attractions. Having a campervan gives you the ultimate freedom to see them all at your own pace. To rent a camper in Montpellier is to have a mobile basecamp for discovering the treasures of Occitanie.

Place de la Comédie
This is the bustling heart of the city, a vast oval-shaped square nicknamed 'l'Œuf' (the Egg). It's dominated by the magnificent Opéra Comédie and the Three Graces fountain. It's the perfect place to start your exploration, grab a coffee, and people-watch before diving into the old town.

The Écusson (Old Town)
Get lost in the labyrinth of narrow, winding medieval streets. This pedestrian-only area is filled with private mansions (hôtels particuliers) from the 17th and 18th centuries, hidden courtyards, and countless shops. It’s a photographer's dream.

Promenade du Peyrou
This royal square offers the best panoramic views of the city and the surrounding region, stretching to the Cévennes mountains and the sea. The impressive water tower and the Saint-Clément Aqueduct create a stunning backdrop, especially at sunset. It's a great spot for a relaxing walk.

Musée Fabre
One of France's most important fine arts museums, the Musée Fabre houses a vast collection of European art from the 14th century to the present day, with masterpieces by Delacroix, Courbet, and Soulages. It's a must-see for art lovers.

Beyond the City
The real advantage when you rent a motorhome in Montpellier is the ability to explore the diverse surroundings. Drive just 20 minutes south to find the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean at Palavas-les-Flots or Carnon. Head east to discover the unique wetlands of the Camargue, famous for its white horses, black bulls, and pink flamingos. Or venture north into the dramatic landscapes of Pic Saint-Loup and the Cévennes National Park. Your camper is your ticket to all these incredible places.

Unforgettable Road Trips Starting from Montpellier

With your campervan ready to go, Montpellier is the gateway to some of France's most spectacular road trips. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started.

🦩 The Camargue & Coastline Tour (3-4 Days)

⛰️ The Cévennes Mountains & Gorges Tour (3-4 Days)

Sparkling Finish: Where to Clean Your Motorhome in Montpellier

After an amazing road trip, it's time to think about returning your campervan. Most rental agreements require you to return the vehicle with a clean interior and exterior. Finding a car wash that can accommodate a tall motorhome can be tricky.

Standard automatic car washes are too low for most campers and motorhomes. You need to look for 'haute pression' (high-pressure) jet washes with open-air bays or dedicated washing stations for trucks ('poids lourds') and campers ('camping-cars').

Here are a few suitable washing stations in and around Montpellier where you can get your motorhome sparkling clean:

1. Station de Lavage Superjet
These stations often have high-clearance bays perfect for campers. The high-pressure wands allow you to control the cleaning yourself.
Address: 2 Rue de la Jeune Parque, 34070 Montpellier

2. Eléphant Bleu
A well-known chain in France, many Eléphant Bleu locations have at least one or two oversized bays for larger vehicles. Check the specific location for height clearance.
Address: 197 Rue de la Restanque, 34070 Montpellier

3. Lavage Auto U
Located at the Super U supermarket in Saint-Jean-de-Védas, this wash station has high-pressure bays suitable for motorhomes. You can clean your vehicle while doing some last-minute shopping.
Address: ZAC de la Peyrière, Rue du Traité de Rome, 34430 Saint-Jean-de-Védas

Always check the height clearance signs before entering any wash bay and remember to be careful with high-pressure jets around windows, seals, and vents.

Your Journey to Montpellier: How to Get Here

Getting to Montpellier to start your campervan adventure is straightforward, with excellent connections from around the world.

By Air
The main airport is Montpellier–Méditerranée Airport (MPL), located just 8 km from the city center. It's a convenient hub for international arrivals.

From the UK & Ireland:
You'll find direct flights to Montpellier primarily from London Gatwick (LGW) with airlines like EasyJet, especially during the spring and summer months. From other UK airports (like Manchester) or Dublin (DUB), you can easily find one-stop flights, typically connecting through major European hubs like Paris (CDG) or Amsterdam (AMS).

From the USA & Canada:
There are no direct flights to Montpellier from North America. The most common route is to fly to a major European hub and take a connecting flight. The most convenient connection points are Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) with Air France, Amsterdam (AMS) with KLM, or London Heathrow (LHR). From cities like New York (JFK), Toronto (YYZ), Los Angeles (LAX), or Montreal (YUL), you can book a single ticket through to Montpellier.

From Australia, New Zealand & South Africa:
For travelers coming from the Southern Hemisphere, the journey will involve at least one, and more likely two, layovers. Common routes from Sydney (SYD), Auckland (AKL), or Johannesburg (JNB) connect through major hubs in the Middle East (like Dubai with Emirates or Doha with Qatar Airways) or Asia (like Singapore), followed by a second connection in a major European city like Paris or Amsterdam.

By Car
If you're already in Europe, Montpellier is well-connected by the French motorway (autoroute) system. The A9 motorway runs along the coast, connecting Spain to Italy via Montpellier, while the A75 provides a scenic (and mostly toll-free) route from Paris and the north.