Car Hire Montpellier Airport

You’ll find our Avis counter at Montpellier Airport in the arrivals hall immediately after arrivals. The Avis rental car park is easy to find just outside the terminal building, next to parking hall P2. When you return your hire car, head for the car rental car park following the P6/P8/Car Rental signs.

Montpellier Airport (MPL) - also known as Montpellier-Mediterranée – is the 11th busiest airport in France handling more than 2 million passengers a year.

First opened in 1938, it serves 40 destinations in 20 countries across Europe and Africa as well as domestic routes around France. There are several flights a day between Montpellier and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, a trip of 1hr25min. The airport has a large, light, modern terminal building offering passengers a range of shopping and leisure facilities.

In summer, it’s the perfect gateway to the French Riviera with its chic beach resort destinations like St Tropez as well as Provence and the Languedoc-Camargue regions. Montpellier Airport lies close to the A9 motorway and is connected to a good road network between the key destinations from the coast to the mountains.

The airport is located to the southeast of Montpellier by the shores of the Golden Lagoon, one of the city’s two saltwater lakes.

If you are driving in Montpellier or southwest France for the first time or have just arrived in Europe, make sure you familiarise yourself with French driving rules before picking up your car. Some key road rules in France include driving on the right and overtaking on the left. Be aware that low beam headlamps must always remain on. Mobile phones can only be used as a built-in audio device. It is forbidden to use headphones or earbuds. In built up areas be aware that bus lanes are reserved exclusively for buses, bicycles and taxis.

What are the age requirements for renting a car in Montpellier

The minimum age to rent a car in Montpellier and the rest of France is 21. Age restrictions also vary by vehicle and some selected car groups are not available to drivers under the age of 25.

There is currently no maximum age for hiring a rental car, so long as you have had a full, valid, licence for at least 1 year. Some additional steps may be required for those who are over the age of 75 on the date of the scheduled return.

What documents do I need to hire a car in Montpellier?

To hire a car in Montpellier, you just need to bring your:

• Driving licence
• Credit card (if it's a high value vehicle two payment cards must be provided, one of which needs to be a credit card),
• Proof of any discount (such as a frequent flyer or Avis Preferred  card),
• Photo ID for international rentals (such as a passport or driving licence)

Can I pick up my rental car in Marseille and return it to another location?

One-way car rental with Avis makes it easy to go from A to B without driving full circle. That means you can collect your Avis hire car from Marseille and then return it to another Avis office whether that’s in France or another country in Europe. Many of our Avis locations offer a 24-hour drop-off facility, which makes a one-way car hire hassle-free and very user-friendly. Simply check out our many available one-way journeys and start planning your route. When you are ready to book, just specify your destination in the booking panel and we will arrange it for you.

Is it worth hiring a car in Montpellier?

While much of Montpellier is easily walkable or can be reached by hopping onto the city’s public transport network of trams and buses, you’ll want to hire a car to travel further afield. Renting a car at Montpellier Airport gives you the freedom and flexibility of independent travel and plan a South of France road trip.

The Avis team at Montpellier Airport are experts on the region and ready to advise you on the best places to go and help make your trip a smooth one from the moment you touch down.

What is parking like in Montpellier?

There is a good mix of covered and on-street parking in Montpellier with several park and tramway areas around the perimeter of the city with a single payment covering all passengers for a 24 hr period. You can buy an M-pass to cover parking and transport within the city via the Montpellier visitor app.

From the Avis car park at Montpellier Airport to the centre of Montpellier is a drive of 13.6km which will take around 20min depending on the time of day. Head north from the airport and take the M66 into the centre of the city.

To appreciate Montpellier’s historic centre, explore the Antigone district at the heart of the city with its impressive neo-classical buildings. Designed by Ricardo Bofill, a Catalonian architect, the sheer scale of La Place du Nombre d'Or and the extravagant Hotel Mercure are typical.

Montpellier is a shopping paradise whether you want to haggle at market stalls or browse the boutiques. The Sunday flea market is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, but Montpellier really comes into its own with its selection of specialist stores – from vintage bookshops through to craft stores.

To people watch and absorb the city’s warm vibe head for the Place de la Comedie, home of the Opera Comedie theatre. Described as the beating heart of Montpellier, it’s a lively square lined with cafes and restaurants looking out onto the city’s must-see Three Graces sculpture.

Beyond the city of Montpellier, the southwest of France is full of charming villages, towns, and seaside destinations that are all within a couple of hours by car from Montpellier Airport.

Perpignan

Perpignan is the capital of the Pyrénées-Orientales department, and, at less than 2hr from Montpellier, it is the perfect base for exploring Northern Catalonia. The Palace of the Kings of Majorca dates back to the 13th century and offers an impressive view over the snow-capped Pyrenees.

Sète

The closest seaport to Montpellier, Sète, is just 45min from Montpellier Airport. With 35km of unspoiled beaches and home to oyster and mussel beds, the working port of Sète is an ideal spot to drive for lunch.