Montpellier is a city in southern France and the capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon region, as well as the Hérault department. It is the 8th largest city of France, and is also the fastest growing city in the country over the past 25 years. Located on the south coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea, it is the third-largest French city on the Mediterranean coast after Marseille and Nice. For most of its history, and even today, Montpellier is known for its significant Spanish population, heritage and influence.