Shopping

Rue de la Loge is Montpellier's ultimate High Street, and the post-modern Polygone galleria just east of Place de la Comédie is three-storey open-air mall full of everything from designer fashions to deli foods. Halles Laissac (currently under reconstruction) and Halles Castellane are two good covered food markets next to each other on rue Anatole France by Place Jean Jaurés. Obligatory purchases include cheese, olives, and regional wines.

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Rue de la Loge

Rue de la Loge is the main shopping strip in Montpellier. The street starts at Place de la Comédie, and is a good starting point for city walks. There are many individual stores and boutiques lining the street on either side - from international High Street names to local independent …

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Old Town

There are many interior design, fashion and souvenir shops in the Old Town. Visit Zapa (on 18, Rue Foch) for their women’s fashions designed in-house, and go for the handmade notebooks at Trait (on 24, Rue de l’Aiguillerie). There are plenty of independent local and international chain stores to choose …

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Odysseum

Odysseum is a large open-air shopping and entertainment center. With its multiple stores and boutiques (featuring recognisable international High Street brand names), restaurants, cafes, a cinema, and the city Aquarium and Planetarium, it guarantees an enjoyable day out for the whole …

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Pomme de Reinette et Pomme d'Api

A magical gem of a shop, this toy store with several themed rooms (Magical Forest or Spaceship, for example) will keep you browsing for hours. Look at artisan toys, card and board games, brainteasers, and a whole range of unique collector items - gift ideas await at every …

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Le Polygone

Le Polygone is a centrally located shopping mall, with a decent selection of stores and boutiques. It houses the famous French department store Galeries Lafayette, a Monoprix (another well-known French name), and various international brand shops (Mango, Gap, Zara, and Lacoste to name a …

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Dans Les Yeux de Gaia

Dans Les Yeux de Gaia is an artisan shop dedicated to stones and minerals, products made with them and books on their use and meaning. The shop is full of curious, exquisitely colored stones, some of which are believed to possess special healing …

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Marche aux Puces du Peyrou

This weekly market gathers a plethora of vendors every Sunday in Montpelier's Peyrou Park. Items on sale are rather varied, and include anything and everything from textiles to books to jewelry. Many are authentic French pieces dating back to the mid- to late 20th …

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Comptoir des Olives

Foodies should certainly place this small shop on their Montpellier shopping itinerary - as the name divulges, the store specializes in olives (their many different varieties) and olive-derived products. Other gourmet delights are also on sale - both savory and …

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Zandoli

Zandoli is an artisan boutique and tea room, where visitors can both browse through the eclectic array of items on sale (these range from African and Indian jewelry to spices, chocolate, coffee, and tea) and sit down in the outdoor area for a cup of freshly brewed …

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Halles Castellane

The Halles Castellane covered market is the place to go for fresh local produce. It sells a lot of delicacies that are ready to be consumed - cured meats, cheeses, and baguettes, which can also easily be assembled together into a delicious authentic lunch …

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Excalibur

A must-do for game lovers, this not-so-hidden gem of a shop is a paradise for anyone who enjoys medieval paraphernalia (such as toys and full-blown costumes). It contains various curiosities, as well as a whole assortment of games - from board games to role plays and even drinking …

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En Traits Libres

En Traits Libres is an art space and a store, a place where several local artists showcase their original designs and turn some of them into saleable objects. The paintings and drawings on display have a unique quality to them, and are a one-of-a-kind gift and …

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Le Boutik'R

For delicious regional specialties, stop by Le Boutik'R and pick out a gift or souvenir from its impressive array of local items. From olives, oils and truffles to sweets (nougat and honey, to name a couple) to non-edible, yet memorable souvenirs - the tiny shop has it all, including regional …

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Le Bookshop

The bookshop specializes on English-language books, which makes it, perhaps, the most obvious choice for a traveler. The shop offers a nice selection of English, German and French-language books as well as hosts English and French language exchange …

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La Crèmerie du Faubourg

This gourmet shop specializes on artisan local cheeses. Made from sheep's and cow's milk, creamy and of hard consistency, with wildflowers from the Alps or even Italian truffles - the variety of cheeses is truly impressive. Sells a variety of unique jams and …

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