As the capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France, the city of Montpellier has consistently expanded more rapidly than any other city in the country since the 1960s, but was originally settled in 985 by the counts of Toulouse. Spanning two hilltops, the city is 248 kilometers from Toulouse, 168 kilometers from Marseille and just 52 kilometers from Nimes, so be sure to reserve a rental car for your visit and plan a few day trips!

The city is divided into many different neighborhoods, which offer a variety of unique attractions. For example, the Antigone District is home to Montpellier’s old town and citadel, but also boasts a number of impressive neo-classical buildings that were designed by the famous 20th century architect Ricardo Bofill. Other main attractions include the Place de la Comedie and the oldest botanical garden in the entire country, le Jardin des plantes de Montpellier, which was created in 1593.