Where to drink hot chocolate | Montauban Tourisme

When the cold gently settles over Montauban, the town transforms itself into a veritable winter refuge. Scarf knotted, hat tucked in, mittens tightened… all that’s missing is a cup of steaming hot chocolate to make the magic happen. Whether in the heart of the Place Nationale, in a little hidden tea room or in the elegant setting of a museum, Montauban is full of places where the cold season becomes a pleasure. With a hot chocolate in hand, your nose still pink from the cold, you’ll discover a city that’s softer, quieter and more intimate.

Here are our winter cocooning addresses

A chocolate break on the Place Nationale

The vibrant heart of Montauban

When you sit down to enjoy a hot chocolate in the Place Nationale, you’re choosing one of Montauban’s most beautiful settings. It’s impressive in any season, but in winter it becomes almost magical. Beneath the famous pink brick arcades, sheltered from the wind, the square forms a harmonious setting in which to linger. The cobbled pavement, the symmetrical facades, the double arcades, unique in France… everything here tells the story of Montalban’s history and elegance. When the temperatures drop, the Place Nationale reveals a different facet:

Its soft winter light glides over the bricks and makes every architectural detail sparkle,
Its warm-cold contrasts between the crisp air and the hot chocolate steaming between your fingers,
Its comforting tranquillity, because even in the heart of the city, the atmosphere remains serene, almost meditative.

Wrapped up warmly in your scarf, hat on your head, you take your place on the terrace. Some establishments – such as Les Cintres, L’Agora and Sacha’touille vos papilles– offer cosy plaids to prolong this winter pleasure. Simply sitting under the arcades gives you the impression of being sheltered from the world. You can contemplate the façades, listen to the footsteps echoing under the arches, and watch the play of light and shade that enlivens the square throughout the day. And when night falls, the Place Nationale becomes a veritable theatre: The lighting underlines the perfect geometry of the arches, the windows are adorned with golden reflections, and the whole creates an almost hushed scene, ideal for unwinding. In this unique setting, drinking a hot chocolate is no longer just a gourmet break: it’s a Montalban experience, a moment suspended in one of the city’s most iconic locations.

Chez Madeleine

The tea room at the Musée Ingres Bourdelle

A haven of peace… even without visiting the museum! Located right at the entrance to the Musée Ingres Bourdelle, the Chez Madeleine tea room is a precious, discreet, almost secret address. You can come here without visiting the museum, simply to enjoy this delicate little cocoon where you’ll feel instantly at home.

The warmth of the wooden floor steeped in history, the softness of the lights, the gourmet scents of the pastries wafting from the counter… The atmosphere invites you to stop, take a breather and savour a hot chocolate as a break in the day. It’s a place where you can really switch off: time seems to stand still, voices are soft, mugs clink and treats beckon. It’s the perfect place to warm up before taking to the winter streets again.

Pauline's garden

A gourmet interlude at the Passage du Vieux Palais

To get to Pauline’s Garden, you have to enter the Passage du Vieux Palais. This gesture alone gives you the impression of entering another space-time: the noise of the city fades, the architecture envelops you, and the atmosphere becomes intimate.

The tea room, warm and delicate, is often described by its visitors as “charming”, “cosy”, “delicious” and “full of sweetness”. Many describe it as “timeless”, with a warm welcome and comforting snacks… perfect for a hot chocolate accompanied by a homemade pastry. Here, you can enjoy your beverage as if you were in a refuge: quietly, in a simple, warm atmosphere, where every detail – from the crockery to the smiles of the team – contributes to the feeling of softness. A real hidden gem, ideal for a winter break.

Léa's delicacies

A cocoon of softness in the heart of the city

Pushing open the door of Les Gourmandises de Léa is to enter a tender, pastel, gourmet world. The place is like a cocoon: warm, bright and soothing. In winter, the atmosphere lends itself wonderfully to a hot chocolate accompanied by a homemade sweet. You’ll feel right at home, enveloped by the scent of melted chocolate and freshly baked pastries. The break becomes a real moment of sweetness: a taste of childhood, warmth and comfort, perfect for recharging your batteries before returning to brave the cold of Montalban.