It’s impossible to visit the south of France and the beautiful city of Montpellier without discovering its coastline.
Montpellier, also known as ‘the gifted one’, is regularly ranked as one of the ‘best places to live’. That’s hardly surprising when you consider the amount of sunshine and the exceptional quality of life. Indeed, with its Mediterranean climate and beaches just a few minutes from the city centre, it’s the ideal setting for sunbathing and relaxing.
Here are our recommendations for the best beaches near Montpellier:
Plage du Pilou
This beach is a twenty-minute drive from Montpellier, in Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, it offers a peaceful and splendid setting that is sure to please.
Stretching for several kilometres around Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, it’s the perfect place for those who want to enjoy wild, natural landscapes. The quality of the water here is superb, so make the most of it and go for a swim!
How to get there:
Bus Line 32 connects the tramway stop 4 “Garcia Lorca” to Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone and is reinforced in the summer period with additional departures between the Garcia Lorca bus stop and the VéloPlage stop.The beach is also accessible out of season, on foot from the Station Pilou. During the season, a free little train can take you to the beach.
The Grand Travers beach
Head for Grande Motte and its charming Grand Travers beach, just a few kilometres from the centre of Montpellier. Stretching over some 3 kilometres of fine sand, it’s one of the most popular beaches with locals and tourists alike, and is also the longest of the Grande Motte beaches. Easily accessible from Montpellier, its wild character gives it a lovely charm.
The Petit Travers beach
The nearest beach to Montpellier is less than a quarter of an hour away by car: the Plage du Petit Travers. Located in Mauguio, this ten-kilometre-long beach links Carnon to La Grande Motte. It is one of the great classics of the Montpellier coastline, thanks to its wild character and unspoilt nature.
How to get there:
Line 606 of Lio Hérault Transport links the tramway stop 1 “Place de France” to Aigues-Mortes, passing by the coastline and the beaches of Carnon, La Grande Motte and Le Grau du Roi.
Palavas-les-flots
A former fishing village that has become a tourist destination for many families, Palavas immediately conjures up images of holidays. It’s probably the first place that springs to mind when you want to go for a swim near Montpellier, and with almost 7 kilometres of beach you’ll find plenty of facilities to delight families and sports enthusiasts alike.
How to get there:
Two possibilities:
- From Montpellier tramway line 4 (stop Garcia Lorca) and TaM bus lines 11 and 32 (stop Garcia Lorca) take the bus liO-Hérault Transport 631 to Palavas-les-Flots (Salle Bleue)
- From the tramway line 3 (stop Pérols – Etang de l’Or), take the bus line 1 of the Transp’or du Pays de l’Or network to Palavas-les-Flots (Salle Bleue).
Espiguette beach
The Espiguette beach is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in Montpellier! Classified as a Grand Site de France since 2014, it stretches for several kilometres beyond the town of Le Grau-du-Roi.
With its high dunes stretching as far as the eye can see, it offers a sumptuous backdrop for visitors who come to linger on the beach. After a few kilometres walking along the water’s edge, you’ll find a quiet corner where nature becomes totally wild.
How to get there:
Hérault transport line 606 – Direction plages de Carnon, Grande Motte, Grau du Roi. From the tramway stop 1 ‘Place de France’, take bus line 606 from Bus Lio Hérault Transport, which links Montpellier to Aigues-Mortes, passing along the coast and the beaches of Carnon, Grande Motte and Grau du Roi.
