Montpellier is a thriving, metropolitan southern French city, and some of the most captivating beauties near it are the beaches. The good thing about them is that they are accessible without a vehicle, so you can board a tram from Montpellier city center and then walk to where you are going. The closest beach, Carnon Plage, to the Montpellier city center is about 13 km from the city.

In late afternoons during the peak months, locals tend to proceed to the beaches and stay there until the evening. Carnon Plage and Palavas are often visited because they are the closest to Montpellier. Nevertheless, if you go a little further into the field, you can reach some of the better beaches to the city’s north.

Best Montpellier Beaches to Visit

Are you looking to visit Montpellier in the south of France next summer if tourist travels pick up momentum again? Do you want to discover the most cracking beaches to visit in the area? I have compiled a list of amazing destinations within easy travel distance of the city center. There are several Montpellier beaches to go to. Perhaps, the closest ones near the city are at Carnon and Pavalas and are around 13 km from the city center towards the Montpellier airport.

The finest of the beaches are probably in the North East of Montpellier, near La Grande Motte. They are covered and have golden sand. While La Grande Motte resort might not be popular, with its modern facilities and settings, there is no doubt that the beach at Point Zero Plage, located in La Grande Mote center, is incredibly beguiling.

It is great for children and adults, and there are several things to do after indulging in beach activities. You can select any of the bars and restaurants along the front. However, Espiguette beach would be my choice. It is broader than the others around it, with bigger waves and fine dunes behind the beach. But I admit that Espiguette beach is not the easiest beach to reach without a car. It is worth the effort, however, if you will be in Montpellier for a short while.

Carnon Beach

Locally called Carnon Plage, this is the nearest beach to Montpellier. Visitors can also get there via public transport, by taking a bus from Montpellier city center. They can take the tram from the city center to Perols Etang de l’Or the tram stop too. Then they can either pick up the shuttle bus to Carnon Plage beach or trek there.

As per its beachy credentials, Carnon Plage is not bad, but it is not overly striking. You will find the sand slightly coarse. The beach can be busy at times. It is a large beach with several cafes and bars. But if you are lodged in the center of Montpellier with no outdoor space on a hot summertime day, then the fact that you can access the beach in a quarter of an hour has its merits. However, if you do not mind traveling a few kilometers on either side, you will discover better beaches in the city.

Espiguette Beach

For many travelers, Espiguette beach is the best beach close to Montpellier, and I think so too. Located on the east of Le Grau de Roi, this white sandy beach has a natural windswept face. Behind the beach are amazing dunes, and visitors tend to have a few rollers coming in from the sea at this spot of the coast.

Do not look forward to grabbing some bites at any cafe or restaurant nearby. There are some beach bars along the 18 km stretch of this beach (perhaps one of the best ones are close to the big car park at the Lighthouse end of Espiguette). Technically, you can reach the beach by public transport from the city of Montpellier. You can also board a local train from Montpellier to Le Grau de Roi.

It is rather simpler to reach the best parts of the beach by car. From the city center, either go north approaching Lunel and then trail the signs to Le Grau de Roi and Aigues-Mortes or follow the D66 beyond the city towards the Montpellier airport and Arena. After the arena, proceed further on the way approaching Carnon and Palavas, prior to taking the D62 towards La Grande Motte.

Go beyond La Grande Motte and trail Le Grau d Roi signs. You are not going to Le Grau de Roi per se, but you should follow the by-pass that courses along the Etang behind Le Grau de Roi. Proceed on this track and go beyond the Campsites, Amusement Park, and Camargue horse stables. Thereafter, you will see a sign to “l’Esiguette”. At this road’s end, you will reach a big car park behind the beach. Le Grau de Roi is brilliant enough to have a drink or dine beside the river.

La Grande Motte Beaches

Montpellier beaches at Grande Motte might be nicer than Palavas. And even though they get crowded in peak periods, they are calm most of the time. They are artificial beaches and well managed. La Grande Motte is quite popular among locals and tourists, and rightly so. It is a modern resort, well organized, and with an irresistible lure of its own.

An added advantage that the beach enjoys is the reputation of the town of La Grande Motte, which is a sporty destination. Visitors will always see people running, cycling, walking, swimming, etc. If you want something different from the beach, the spa at La Grande Motte called the Thalasso can keep you occupied. It is terrific and wonderful. The biggest hurdle, however, to visiting the beaches at La Grande Motte is the difficulty in accessing them by public transport. If you have a car, they are definitely worth visiting.

Palavas Beach in Montpellier

An old resort town like Palava Les Flots holds a special place in the heart of residents and those who live close to here. It enjoys sheer popularity and is just 12 km from Montpellier city center. Similar to several beaches in Montpellier, it can get very busy in the peak periods, especially from 3:00 pm onwards when city workers take on the beaches.

La Plagette Beach

This stunning beach has a small space of sand and is under Cap d’Agde. It has a high foreland on one side and a craggy part on the other. Well near the center of town and with free parking lots, Plage de la Plagette is great for a soothing dip after a morning of people watching or sightseeing.

Plage du Petit Travers 

Plage du Petit Travers is just east of Carnon Plage, and still, it has a resplendent wild feel because of the dune and wild grass backdrop. Perching on the beach is Le Mistral beach bar- a great place to have a delightful drink away from the sun’s tirade. It’s refreshing to pull up in your vehicle close to the beach as well.

Plage Naturiste de Maguelone

You will find Villeneuve-Les-Maguelone to the south-west of Montpellier. It is a small coastal town, and Maguelone is the beach that is nearest to it. You can also find a striking cathedral at the beach’s northern side that gives a lovely backdrop. It is interesting to know that this is the part of the Languedoc area that is crammed with canals, ponds, and seawater.

>>Also Read: Best Naturist Beaches in France

Sunset Beach (Plage du Couchant)

Plage du Couchant is part of La Grande-Motte’s seaside resort. It has a vast expanse of miles like a typical Languedoc beach. When you are at this beach, there is the chance to absorb La Grande-Motte’s architecture. The architect responsible for the Modernist collection, pyramid, and other shaped apartment blocks here is Jean Balladur.

Plage de la Grande Conque (Cap-d’Agde)

This beach has the semblance of a typical Provencal beach being enclosed in the Cap d’Agde into a volcanic rock cove. Also making a change from the regular Languedoc’s white beaches is the black sand. The setting is attractive with Les Deux Freres rocks.

Final Thoughts

Some of the best and most beautiful beaches in France are near Montpellier. They are massive, sandy, and straight compared to the pebble bays and pebble coves of neighboring Provence. Delightfully, several of them are easy to reach from Montpellier, so consider the ones featured in this post.