This second home disappointment of the Maritimes season relegates them to 6th place in the standings, with 36 points, just two units ahead of Clermont, who travels to Pau on Sunday evening.
As for the MHR, it has its seventh consecutive victory, and with style (4 tries): a success which temporarily places it in the position of runner-up to leader Bordeaux-Bègles, before the meeting between Toulouse and Racing 92 in the evening.
Despite a false rhythm at the start of the match, La Rochelle showed the will to send the game but was confronted with a Montpellier defense well in place.
Ihaia West opened the Rochelais counter with a penalty in the 8th minute.
It took until the 22nd minute to see the first try of the match, scored a little against the run of play by the MHR, on a touchdown combination concluded by Cobus Reinach.
But the Maritimes regained control thanks to a try at the end of the line from Dillyn Leyds, 5 minutes later (10-7, 36th).
Philippe Saint-André's men put the pressure on by scoring a new try through Alexandre Becognée.
La Rochelle then brought in the top scorer of the Top 14, Jules Favre, released Wednesday evening by Fabien Galthié.
At the break, the MHR had a 7-point lead (17-10) thanks to a last drop from Paolo Garbisi.
Leaving with a bang after the locker room, Stade Rochelais managed to make up for the delay accumulated during the first act, also taking advantage of the indiscipline of the MHR.
Montpellier's center Gel Aprasidze (g) scores a try in front of La Rochelle scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow on January 29, 2022 in La Rochelle XAVIER LEOTY AFP
Twice (45th and 49th), Ihaia West brought the Rochelais back in the game to one point.
But the Montpellier team recovered thanks to a try from Capelli after the hour mark and then a fourth from Aprasidze four minutes later.
Less than 10 minutes from the siren, Dillyn Leyds scored a new try but that did not allow the Rochelais to catch up.
© 2022 AFP