Start at Place de la Bourse and the Miroir d’eau; allow about 45 minutes for the riverfront views and a stroll around the reflecting pool. Then walk roughly 15 minutes inland to Cathédrale Saint-André in Pey-Berland. Give yourself about an hour to admire the Gothic interior and exterior; entry to the cathedral is generally free, but services can limit sightseeing, and access to the separate Pey-Berland tower may have its own hours and fee.
Continue on foot through the old center to Grosse Cloche in Saint-Paul—around 10 minutes from the cathedral, with about 30 minutes to look around. From there, walk roughly 15 minutes to Marché des Capucins in Saint-Michel. Important Monday caveat: the market is typically closed on Mondays, so check its current schedule before setting out; if it is shut, you can still see the market building and have lunch in the neighborhood, but the stalls won’t be available. When open, allow 1–1½ hours to browse and eat; budget about €15–30 per person.
Take a taxi or tram toward La Cité du Vin at Bassins à flot—allow around 20–30 minutes from Saint-Michel, depending on connections. Set aside 2–3 hours for the interactive exhibits and tasting. Check the museum’s current Monday hours and ticket price before you go, and reserve ahead if you want a particular entry time; timed entry is a booking dependency, not something to leave to chance.
After your morning train arrival, allow about 15–20 minutes to walk from Toulouse-Matabiau station to Place du Capitole; a taxi is quicker if you have luggage. Get your bearings in the broad central square and take in the grand façade of the Capitole, Toulouse’s city hall. Allow 30–45 minutes, and remember that the building’s public rooms may have separate visiting hours or be closed for civic events.
Walk about 10 minutes through the old center to Basilique Saint-Sernin, one of Europe’s great Romanesque churches. Set aside roughly 45 minutes; entry to the church is generally free, but access to particular areas can be restricted during services or events. From there, it’s around a 15-minute walk to Couvent des Jacobins. Give yourself an hour to admire its soaring Gothic interior and famous palm-like columns; check current admission prices and opening arrangements before you go, as hours and access can vary.
Finish back at Place du Capitole for dinner at Le Bibent, where the ornate brasserie interior is part of the occasion. Book ahead if you can, and budget about €30–50 per person; confirm Tuesday dinner service when reserving. After a travel day, keep the rest of the evening unplanned—there are plenty of cafés around the square if you’d rather linger over a drink.
Take an early train from Toulouse and allow roughly 2–2½ hours on board, plus time to reach the station and get from Montpellier-Saint-Roch to your hotel or the old town. Drop your bags, then head to Place de la Comédie in the Écusson. Give the square and the Opéra Comédie 30–45 minutes; it’s an easy first taste of Montpellier’s lively centre, with plenty of cafés if you need a pause after travelling.
Walk a few minutes through the Écusson to Musée Fabre and set aside 2–2½ hours for its substantial collection, from Old Masters to modern art. It is generally open Tuesday through Sunday, but check the current hours, exhibitions and ticket arrangements before you go. From the museum, continue on foot toward the Jardin des Plantes de Montpellier—about 10 minutes—to enjoy a quieter 45–60 minutes among its historic paths and greenery. Access arrangements can vary, so check the garden’s visitor information for your date.
Stay in the Écusson for dinner around Place Jean-Jaurès or Rue de l’Aiguillerie; Le Pré Vert is a relaxed local option on Rue du Petit Scel, a short stroll away. Book ahead if you have a particular time in mind, and budget around €25–45 per person for dinner. Montpellier’s centre is compact and easiest to explore on foot; allow about 1½ hours for the meal and an unhurried walk back.
Leave Montpellier in the morning for the roughly 1¾–2¼-hour drive to Aix-en-Provence via the A9 and A54; allow extra time for a rest stop and traffic approaching town. Follow signs for a central car park—Rotonde or Mignet are convenient for the center—and leave the car there for the day. Tolls and parking are extra; check the car park’s current rates before setting off.
Begin with a 45-minute stroll along Cours Mirabeau, taking in its fountains and grand plane trees. Then wander into the old town to Place des Prêcheurs and Place de l’Hôtel de Ville; allow about an hour for the squares and surrounding lanes. Market stalls and their hours vary by day, so enjoy the lively streets even if the stalls are packing up.
Continue on foot to Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur (around an hour), whose architecture spans several periods and whose cloister is a peaceful pause from the streets. Entry to the cathedral is generally free, but access to parts of the complex can vary around services or events, so check locally and be respectful if worship is underway. Return to Cours Mirabeau for dinner at Les Deux Garçons; budget about €30–50 per person and allow roughly 1½ hours. It’s a storied brasserie, so check current opening hours and book ahead if you have a particular time in mind.
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