La Grande Motte Beach Resort Guide
Introduction
One of the main resorts of the Languedoc region, La Grande Motte is a thriving summer seaside resort that was purpose built in the mid-1960s. The aim at the time was to attract some of the holidaymakers headed for the tourist resorts of Spain, further down the coast. The resort is characterised by its distinctive pyramidal buildings, inspired by the pyramids of Mexico. Created by architect Jean Balladur, they were a real sensation at the time because of their bold design, and they have remained popular: the 16-storey Grande Pyramide, built in 1974, still dominates the skyline. The action centres around the 1,450 berths marina. The resort can get packed in summer, but with over 300 days of sunshine a year, it is a pleasant destination year-round and a popular one for business tourism too.
Who goes there?
La Grande Motte is understandably popular with families, as the beaches are very safe, and there are plenty of activities and attractions to keep children entertained (see Family Fun). It is also popular with young people and in winter with older holiday makers, many of whom have a second home here. A few Brits and Northern Europeans have also bought property here.
Where in the world?
La Grande Motte lies on the Mediterranean Coast in the south of France, between the cities of Marseille, 150km (93 miles) to the east, and Montpellier, 21km (13 miles) to the northwest.
La Grande Motte is located in the departement of the Hérault. Montpellier Méditerranée Airport (MPL) is the nearest airport.
When to go?
La Grande Motte enjoys a temperate climate with rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year. Any time from April to October is a good time to visit, as the average temperature is 23°C (73°F). In July and August, the temperature consistently rises as high as 30°C (86°F).
Beach
La Grande Motte boasts some of the best beaches in the Languedoc region. With public toilets and showers, first aid and lifeguards on duty, they are ideal for families with children of all ages. There are also a few private beaches offering sunbeds, parasols and either a bar or a restaurant or both. Watersports on offer include windsurfing, jet-skiing, water-skiing, diving, sea-kayaking and paragliding.
Beyond the beach
Once you're done sunning yourself on the beach, there are 30 tennis courts, a sailing school and several swimming pools in La Grande Motte. Horse riding is also available. Nearby Carnon has a harbour with 950 berths, a diving centre, a swimming pool, a big sandy beach and many walking paths if you fancy going for a stroll. Aigues Mortes (9km/6 miles to the east) and Le Grau du Roi (6km/4 miles southeast) are also well worth exploring.
Family fun
There are plenty of facilities and entertainment for children at La Grande Motte. There is a play area with trampolines and bouncy castles and a go-karting track (Point Zéro), several merry-go-rounds, as well as two mini-golf courses (Point Zéro and Motte du Couchant) and quad bikes (domaine du Petit Chaumont). The Parc de Loisirs Nautiques Le Grand Bleu (La Plaine des Jeux, 195 rue Saint Louis) offers water slides, a wave pool, waterfalls, Jacuzzi, sauna and a lot more. Four-wheel safaris in nearby Camargue are also popular with children of all ages. Last, but not least, there is a carnival on the last Friday in August with free face-painting for children, floats, food and dancing.
Retail therapy
Many of La Grande Motte's shops are unashamedly geared towards holidaymakers and stock everything from beachwear to cheesy souvenirs. Small supermarkets are handy for buying groceries and wine. There is also a market (place du Marché) on Thursdays and Sundays.
A night on the town
There's no raucous nightlife here, but plenty of bars (many with live music) and a smattering of clubs that will keep most visitors happy. Meanwhile the casino (avenue du Casino) offers roulette, Black Jack tables and 130 slot machines as well as a restaurant-bar-nightclub, La Rumba. Another popular nightclub is La Dune (route des Plages). The Scènes d'Eté festival in July and August and the carnival at the end of August also ensure there is plenty of entertainment in the summer months.
Eating out
There is no shortage of options when it comes to eating out in La Grande Motte, with everything from pizzerias to seafood restaurants, via Oriental, Italian, crêperies, fast-food and even vegetarian choices, not to mention of course traditional regional cuisine. There are also several beach restaurants on the avenue de Carnon (Le Grand Travers) and around the marina.
Getting around
La Grande Motte can easily be explored on foot. A bus network links the resort with Montpellier as well as other towns and villages in the area, including Nîmes, Aigues Mortes and Le Grau du Roi. If you are planning on exploring the surrounding areas, hiring a car might be a good idea. Taxis are available too.
Exploring further afield
Some 20km (12.5 miles) to the east lies the Camargue, the area in the Rhone delta famed for its flamingos, bulls and wild horses, as well as its salt pans and rice paddies. A flat but beautiful land of marshes and lagoons, it is home to over 400 species of birds and a big population of mosquitoes too. Make sure you visit Aigues Mortes, a medieval fortress-town built in the 13th century, and Les Saintes Maries de la Mer, a gypsy pilgrimage site.
Splashing out
Spend an afternoon on one of Europe's best golf courses, Le Golf (avenue du Golf). Built by celebrated American course-architect Robert Trent Jones, it is the first of its kind in Europe and probably the only one where you'll see flamingos as you tee off. Those not feeling too energetic can treat themselves to an energising treatment or a relaxing massage at the Institut de Thalassothérapie (Point Zéro).
Flying in
Montpellier Méditerranée Airport (MPL)
