Montpellier had won their last three games, but were put to the sword by the hosts, who ran in three tries and saw 11 points come from the boot of fly-half Pat Lambie to give their home stadium in Colombes a fine send-off before they move to the newly built U Arena.
Racing, who are set to lose Dan Carter at the end of the season after he announced this week that he is to leave for Japan's Kobelco Steelers, went ahead courtesy of the first of three Lambie penalties 23 minutes in.
And seven minutes later Albert Vulivuli crossed for the game's opening try.
