Montpellier Area Seaside Towns

It's a short drive, tram ride, or bicycle ride (bike path along the river Lez) from Montpellier to the Mediterranean (Mer Méditerranée) and the small fishing and beach communities on the coast near Montpellier:  Palavas-les-Flots, Carnon, Plage le Petit Travers, Plage du Grand Travers, La Grande-Motte, and Le Grau-du-Roi.  I make the short 10 km (6 mile) trip from Montpellier to Palavas-les-Flots and arrive at the beach.

 Found the beach

I wander around Palavas-les-Flots, looking at the fishing boats (with stands next to each to sell catch right off the boat), restaurants across the street from the boats to prepare and serve the fish, and shops and beaches along the way.

 Palavas-les-Flots

 Beaches

The next town, Carnon, has a large harbor and marina, along with the fishing boats, fish stands, restaurants, and beaches, although not many people are out an a rainy fall day.

Carnon

 Fish for sale off the boat

 Beaches

Before the next town, two beaches, Plage le Petit Travers and Plage du Grand Travers offer sun, sand, and sea delights to all.

 More beaches

The town of La Grande Motte provides more of the same, with beaches, modern seafront apartments, and tempting seafood.

 La Grande Motte

The last town on this stretch of coast, Le Grau-de-Roi, is a serious commercial fishing port, with nets piled on the docks near the ships and more great beaches a little further on.

 Le Grau-de-Roi port

Le Grau-de-Roi beaches

What a great adventure, exploring the little villages and beaches on the Mediterranean next to Montpellier.  This is a great trip from town (just take the tram from town for an afternoon on the beach or a dinner of fish fresh off the boat).  I could live here!