As promised, our stay in Montpellier

It’s hard to say which I was most excited about—visiting Montpellier for the first time or staying at the lovely Relais Chateaux Hotel Richer de Belleval. Both are great, but the chance to stay in a 17th-century mansion-turned-city hall-turned-luxury hotel, complete with gourmet dining and opulent interiors, felt like the perfect little treat. 🤩

We were only there for one night, but it felt like stepping into another world—a world of luxury, that is. As soon as we arrived, we were struck by the grandeur of the place. Naturally, I snapped tons of photos because how could I not? Lol, yes, we’re those people! Every corner was as stunning as the last—dramatic ceilings, intricate mouldings, chandeliers, and more chandeliers. Honestly, you can never have too many.

Who doesn’t love a good bar? And as far as bars are concerned, this one was s-e-x-y! More importantly, they know how to pour a great cocktail.🍸🍸

The rooms are luxurious and have elegant touches that don’t go unnoticed. Our bathroom was a proper size, and the shower was spacious enough for two… 😳

Dinner was outstanding—a perfect example of bistronomy at its best. The menu offered several delicious choices to satisfy even the fussiest.

What we ordered was so amazing…

Octopus in an open ravioli, candied onions, creamy potato and grilled chorizo, in a smoked sweet pepper emulsion

Grilled sea bass fillet, spaghetti zucchini and stracciatella, brown butter, butternut squash and preserved lemon, and squid tempura

Are you getting hungry? Yum!

Wandering around Montpellier

We arrived in Montpellier just in time for lunch on the charming patio at Rosemarie, a spot recommended by the hotel—and it did not disappoint. After lunch, we hit the streets, determined to get our steps in, yeah, no gym these days…Montpellier is very walkable, and there was no shortage of sights to keep us moving—from the impressive Aqueduct Saint Clement and Château d’Eau, to the Arc de Triomphe and the towering Saint-Pierre Cathedral. We wandered through lively squares, popped into a few boutiques, and stumbled upon Le Panier d’Aimé, a gourmet market so tempting, I honestly could’ve brought the entire store home.

Montpellier was definitely a highlight. Its location in the south of France makes it an easy hub for travel to other areas—just a few hours by train from Paris and even closer to places like Nice and Provence. And with a well-connected airport, your options are endless.

I realize it was only 24 hours, but it genuinely felt like we experienced many of the city’s highlights while still having time to enjoy our lovely stay at Hotel Richer de Belleval.