Gay Guide to Montpellier
France decriminalized same-sex relations in 1791 and legalized marriage equality in 2013. Montpellier, a sun-soaked university city near the Mediterranean, is often called the most openly gay-friendly place in France outside Paris, with one of the country's most active scenes for its size.
The heart of it is the Écusson, the medieval old town, where gay bars and restaurants cluster along Rue de la Croix de Fer and the surrounding lanes, with more venues around the St Roch district.
A large student population and a mild, year-round climate keep the scene lively in every season, welcoming and easy to explore on foot.
Montpellier's Marche des Fiertés each June is one of the most popular Prides in France, filling the old town with a large, celebratory crowd.