Unique Things for a Foodie to Do in Montpellier

Oysters are very much part of life in the Languedoc and Montpellier is no exception. Especially around the Christmas and New Year period, markets will be filled with wooden crates full of oysters. For €65 per person, Montpellier Wine Tours offer up their Gourmet Route of oysters and wine tasting, taking you on a tour of an oyster and shellfish farm by the Thau lagoon, then onto a local wine estate. A truly regional experience.

Les Halles are France’s covered markets and they’re a bit of an institution. Head to one in the early morning; even if the streets outside are somewhat deserted, inside will be as bustling as ever. This is where locals head to buy their daily vegetables, a special piece of meat for the weekend, or for a morning café with friends. Montpellier boasts many covered markets that are not to be missed: Halles Castellane for central stops, along with Halles Laissac and Halles Jacques Coeur.

Emanate your most trendy self and head to Montpellier’s Marché du Lez for lunch. Situated on the River Lez, it feels like a city within a city and a creative, artsy one at that. Food market stalls are set up during the day and from about 7pm it turns into one big bar venue. Browse the few shops beforehand and enjoy the organic, local food on offer.

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Wine is big business in this pocket of France. The region supplies around one third of all French wine and so it’s no wonder there are regular wine fairs throughout the year. Fête des Vignes (Festival of Vines) takes place November 24-26, 2017. This is the 14th edition of the festival, where the vast Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle gets turned into a wine lover’s paradise, and wine tasting, workshops, activities and festivities take place. Millésime Bio is the world’s largest organic wine fair and takes place in Pérols, just south of Montpellier, January 29-31, 2018.

Make La Fine Mouche a stop on your foodie tour of Montpellier and you won’t regret it. Specialising in local varieties but with all of your favourites on show, this cheese bar is a popular haunt for locals and tourists alike. Eat on site or take away.

Playfood is such a great restaurant concept in Montpellier. It’s the city’s answer to Spanish tapas or Japanese sushi; bite-sized portions of delicious French food served in small glasses. Compose your meal with a combination of glasses, from savoury to sweet, hot and cold, all costing €2.20 each. Vegetarian and vegan options are not only available but promoted at this health-conscious hot spot. De-lish…

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