Start your journey in Lyon. Lyon is the capital of the French administrative region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, created by a 2016 merger of Rhône-Alpes with Auvergne. It also serves as the administrative centre for Metropolitan Lyon (French: Métropole de Lyon) and the Rhône département; the two entities were separated in 2015. A city of half a million, Lyon alone is the country's third-largest city, but its metropolitan area is only second in population to Paris. Lyon is mostly known as an economic centre with many corporate headquarters and bustling financial, IT and natural science industries, but it is also rich in historic and architectural heritage, and has a very vivid cultural life. It is also considered the gastronomic epicentre of France.

Starting in Lyon, you can enjoy low fares and a comfortable trip in a modern, well-equipped coach. easyBus.com.. Montpellier is the principal city in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southwest France. It's been the fastest growing city in France over the past 25 years and, as a result, it has very modern districts on the outskirts that are in stark contrast to the old winding roads of the city centre. The town is home to a lot of students due to the presence of the University of Montpellier which has the oldest medical school in Europe, and, as such, Montpellier has a very young feel to it. One of the principal attractions of Montpellier is the climate. It has a dry Mediterranean summer and a mild winter. The city isn't on the beach but it is easily accessible via public transport and there are also several beautiful villages that are accessible via bus as a day trip.