Hérault

The Hérault department is in southern France, in the Occitanie region, on the Mediterranean coast, and its capital is Montpellier, one of France's fastest-growing and youngest cities. With a combination of sandy beaches, the historic city of Montpellier, the vast vineyards of Languedoc and inland mountains (the Cévennes), this department has great natural and cultural diversity. Its economy combines universities and technology, coastal tourism and wine production. Thanks to its large young and student population, sunny Mediterranean climate, and cost of living more reasonable than Paris, Montpellier is one of the most popular destinations for international students in France.

Montpellier, Béziers, Sète, Lunel

• Université de Montpellier - A large multidisciplinary university (sciences, medicine, law, economics and engineering).
• Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3 - A university specializing in humanities, arts and languages, with its main campus on Route de Mende and a site in Béziers.

Montpellier is both a lively student city and, in some neighborhoods (especially around Saint-Roch station or certain suburbs), can be somewhat rougher. In the historic center (Écusson), student neighborhoods near the universities and along the tram lines, there is a greater sense of safety and more people around. Most problems amount to pickpocketing, noise and occasionally street altercations; observing ordinary urban precautions is enough.

The TaM network (Transports de Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole) includes several tram and bus lines that connect the city center, student neighborhoods and surrounding towns well. TER/TGV trains depart from Montpellier-Saint-Roch and Montpellier-Sud-de-France stations.