Montpellier

Montpellier is one of the fastest-growing cities in France. It’s sunny, young and lively, and sits just inland from the Mediterranean in the Occitanie region. Students make up a large share of the population, and the city is home to one of the oldest medical schools in the world, still teaching after more than 800 years. Life revolves around the grand Place de la Comédie and the Écusson, the medieval old town, a maze of honey-coloured lanes, hidden squares and café terraces. Walk up to the Promenade du Peyrou and its 18th-century aqueduct, see the Musée Fabre’s fine art collection, or explore Ricardo Bofill’s neoclassical Antigone district. Beaches are just a tram and bus ride away, and the vineyards of Pic Saint-Loup and the wild landscapes of the Camargue are close by.

Montpellier has a reputation as one of France’s most gay-friendly cities. In 2013 it hosted the country’s very first same-sex wedding. The scene is compact and easy to walk, with most gay bars in the Écusson, especially around Place du Marché-aux-Fleurs and the Saint-Roch quarter. You can easily take in several bars in one evening before heading to Le Heaven, the city’s main gay club, which is busiest on Saturday nights. On weekends, the bars start filling up around 10 pm.

The highlight of the year is the Marche des Fiertés (Pride) in June. Now in its fourth decade, it is one of the longest-running Prides in the south of France. The weekend starts with solidarity drinks with local associations, followed by a community village on the Esplanade du Peyrou and a colourful parade through the city centre. With its sunshine, open-minded spirit and laid-back Mediterranean pace, Montpellier is an easy and welcoming destination for gay travellers.