Beziers, France

Capital City

Béziers, with a population of 81,545, is a principal center of the Languedoc wine industry, but don't expect a laidback retirement. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the city was once a stronghold of the Cathars, who were brutally crushed in the Albigensian Crusade. And while the Mediterranean climate is pleasant, frequent heavy rainfall can disrupt daily life. Overall, Béziers is best suited for those with a strong stomach for red tape and a fondness for full-bodied reds.