Montpellier - as recommended by the New York Times

The New York Times Travel Section has published their top 45 "Go To" destinations for 2012, and Montpellier is the only French city or region to make the list. Anyone who has spent time there will not be surprised! This vibrant "Mediterranean city" is stunningly beautiful, friendly and chic. It's wonderful to stroll around the old town, and perfect for people-watching in the street cafes and bars. Much friendlier and less intimidating than Paris, and always bathed in sunshine - if you are travelling in Languedoc don't miss it.

 

Here is the extract from the article.

Montpellier, France
France’s eighth-largest city is dressing up in designer style.

The most celebrated architect in France, Jean Nouvel, and a collaborator, François Fontès, introduced their blue and cube-like city hall in November, and early next year Mr. Nouvel’s RBC Design Center — another coolly modernist structure that will house the RBC brand’s furniture showroom — is to open its doors in this medieval, student-filled Mediterranean city.

Even more innovative, the long-awaited Pierres Vives Building from the star architect Zaha Hadid will be ready by year’s end. A long, sprawling edifice of swirly white concrete layers and green-tinted glass, the futuristic structure will hold a library, archives and municipal offices.

And to reach them, the city is installing what may be Europe’s sexiest tram system. The two existing lines sport exteriors of kaleidoscopic birds and flowers by Christian Lacroix, and two new lines with Mr. Lacroix’s trademark color-soaked style are on their way. Both will make their debut this spring with an underwater design theme and a solar theme, respectively, along roughly 17 miles of new track. Think of it as France’s longest fashion runway.