La Grande-Motte

Département: Hérault

Altitude: sea-level

Population: 6,466

The modern holiday center of La Grande-Motte lies on the Golfe du Lion, 10km/6mi west of Aigues- Mortes and 20km/12mi southeast of Montpellier. It is actually not part of Provence but of the adjoining région of Roussillon.

La Grande-Motte came into being in 1974 as the first of the modern holiday centers which are essentially "drawing-board foundations" in the lagoon and dune country west of the Camargue; these centers include Port- Barcarès, Port-Leucate, Valras- Plage and Port-Camargue. It has developed into a huge holiday town, with a sophisticated infrastructure of accommodation, and entertainment and sporting facilities. The place is grouped around the well-equipped marina, on both sides of which stretches a beach of fine sand. The typical silhouette is formed by pyramid-shaped blocks of apartments. On the east side of the harbor is a fine aquarium with more than 30 tanks.

To the north and east of the main road through the town are holiday houses, various sports centers and a holiday village.

In the nearby lagoons, Etang du Ponant and Etang de Mauguio, fairly large groups of flamingoes can be observed. Here there are also opportunities for water sports and fishing.