Montpellier

Montpellier is unquestionably one of Europe's most charming cities, nestled deep in the south of France, just outside the Provence region and only 10 kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea. Despite being a modern city, Montpellier's Old Town, known as L'Écusson, has kept its historic character.

With its jumble of winding medieval alleyways, exquisite squares, beautiful churches, and stately hôtel particuliers, this collection of old districts has the feel of an open-air museum (aristocratic mansions). The city's medieval ramparts were replaced in the 19th century by broad tree-lined boulevards built by Baron Haussmann (who also constructed the Grands Boulevards of Paris). Montpellier's elegant tram system, with new cars painted by Christian Lacroix, symbolizes the best of the twenty-first century.