how it rose to the top of party cities

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Montpellier is now recognized as the best city in France for partying. This was revealed by a ranking from the specialized site Top10casinos, which compared thirty major French metropolises. The criteria chosen: the number of bars and night establishments, the cost of drinks, or even the price of taxi journeys. And in all these aspects, it is the capital of Languedoc that stands out.

The richness of nightlife in Montpellier is based on several elements. The city has a large number of bars and nightclubs, suitable for all tastes. But what really makes the difference are the affordable prices, whether for consumption or for travel by VTC. “It’s simple, here, you can have fun without breaking the bank. Drinks are not expensive, neither are Ubers. This is not the case in Paris or Lyon,” explains Julie, a first-year sociology student.

A dynamic student city

Montpellier is not only a sunny city, it is also one of the largest student cities in France. With more than 80,000 students, the city has built a young and dynamic reputation. This population is particularly active and plays an essential role in the city’s festive atmosphere. “When you arrive in Montpellier, you immediately feel that it is a living city. There are student evenings every week, events organized by the BDE. And then, the setting is ideal with the beach nearby, it makes you want to go out,” says Adrien, in his second year of law.

Indeed, the student offices (BDE) are at the heart of the organization of parties and create a unique dynamic. Jimmy, responsible for organizing evenings at the BDE STAPS, emphasizes: “We organize three events per month and we change location regularly. In Montpellier, you can go out almost every evening without ever getting tired. »

A diversity of bars and events

One of the criteria that propelled Montpellier to the top of the ranking is the diversity of night establishments. The city is full of bars for all tastes and moods. From a friendly beer bar to a themed bar where you can take part in stand-up evenings, karaoke or even video games, Montpellier offers a wide choice of outings. “What I love here is the diversity of places to go out. One evening, you can go to a super cool bar where everyone knows each other, and the next day, discover a completely different place,” enthuses Camille, a psychology student.

“What I love here is the diversity of places to go out. One night, you can go to a really cool bar where everyone knows each other, and the next, discover a completely different place”

This diversity is also reflected in major events like the Grand Barathon, a must for Montpellier evenings. Every year, thousands of students gather for a bar marathon, hitting around 20 locations in one night. “The Grand Barathon is truly the event not to be missed. There is a crazy atmosphere, everyone meets in the streets, it’s a bit like a music festival but dedicated to bars,” assures Jean-Luc Teissier, manager of Tord Boyaux and La Fumerie, two bars very popular with students. In addition to the diversity of places, Montpellier’s major asset remains its climate. With more than 300 days of sunshine per year, the city offers an ideal setting for going out. “I come from Lille, and honestly, going out here is really something else. You can stay on the terrace until late in the evening, even in November. There, with the rain and the cold, you don’t always want to stay outside,” confides Clémence, a medical student.

The party under control

If Montpellier is a city where the party is in full swing, the safety of revelers is not neglected. Bars and nightlife establishments make it a point to supervise the evenings to avoid excesses. “The bartenders, the security guards, everyone makes sure that the atmosphere remains good. If someone crosses the line, we intervene quickly,” explains Jean-Luc Teissier. This concern for supervision is appreciated by the students themselves, who feel safe during their outings. “It’s reassuring to know that we are supervised, especially in a city where there are a lot of people going out. The bars are careful and that allows you to enjoy without worry,” says Sarah, in her third year of biology.

Despite this first place in the ranking, certain aspects of nightlife in Montpellier could still be improved. The manager of Tord Boyaux and La Fumerie points out the closing times of the bars, considered too early. “The bars close at 1 a.m., and that’s a little early when compared to other cities like Grenoble where it’s 2 a.m. This would prevent everyone from leaving at the same time and would smooth out the exits. » In addition, some would like to see more cultural activities at night to complement the offer of bars and nightclubs. “I think it would be nice if museums or other cultural places stayed open later. After a long day, it would offer an interesting alternative to bars,” suggests Lucie, a political science student.

“The bars close at 1 a.m., and that’s a little early when compared to other cities like Grenoble where it’s 2 a.m. This would prevent everyone from going out at the same time and would allow outings to be smoothed out”

Montpellier is much more than a student city. Its climate, its diversity of bars and parties, its affordable prices and its friendly atmosphere make it a destination of choice for partygoers. Voted the best city in France for partying, Montpellier has won the hearts of night owls, while offering an attractive living environment. While some improvements can still be considered, the city has all the cards in hand to continue to attract those who like to enjoy festive nights. As Jimmy sums it up: “In Montpellier, the party never stops.”

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