One of France's most important art museums outside Paris, founded in 1825 by the Montpellier-born painter François-Xavier Fabre. The collection spans European painting from the 16th century to the present, with notable works by Zurbaran, Reynolds, Veronese, Greuze, Ingres, Delacroix, and Courbet. A highlight is the extensive collection of paintings by Frédéric Bazille, the Impressionist born in Montpellier who died young in the Franco-Prussian War.
The museum underwent a major renovation completed in 2007, which added a contemporary wing devoted to Pierre Soulages, whose monumental black paintings fill several rooms. The building itself is worth seeing — part 17th-century Jesuit college, part sleek modern extension.
Located on Boulevard Sarrail at the edge of the Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle. Open Tuesday to Sunday; closed Mondays and major holidays.