9 Beautiful Montpellier Beaches to Visit with Your Family

Set in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France, Montpellier is a charming city known for its fabulous wines, lively university vibe and impressive architecture. While the city itself is 10 kilometres from the Mediterranean Sea coast, Montpellier is known as being the gateway to some of the best beaches in France. There’s the sprawling expanse of the famous Plage de l'Espiguette, renowned for its 18-kilometre-long sandy beach and charming 1869 lighthouse. Or perhaps the Plage du Couchant, praised for easy accessibility and spectacular sunsets. There’s also the picturesque Plage de la Grande Conque, a black-sand beach set in a cove featuring iridescent turquoise water and surrounded by 750,000-year-old volcanic cliffs. From tranquil to vibrant and everything in between, pack your sunscreen and grab your towel for a day at one of Montpellier’s most beautiful beaches.

Note that driving from Montpellier to the coast is the most convenient. Some beaches can also be reached by public transportation — we've included handy tips below.

The most famous beach in the region is Plage de l'Espiguette, and for good reason. A 45-minute drive from the centre of Montpellier, this sprawling stretch of sand lies just south of the beach town Le Grau-du-Roi. With dunes at the back and stretching for 18 kilometres, Plage de l'Espiguette exudes a wild, windswept feel, although the sheer size of the beach means that even at the height of the summer crowds you can still find a secluded nook. Known for its shallow, tranquil waters, this Montpellier beach makes a great choice for a day out with kids. After a leisurely dip, walk east along the beach to the charming L’Espiguette Lighthouse built in 1869. Parking for the whole day costs €7, and there's a simple restaurant on site to grab a bite.

On a narrow strip of land separating Lagoon du Grec and the Mediterranean Sea lies an old fishing village with a 7-kilometre-long Blue Flag beach. The sandy, lagoon-side beach's name "Palavas" means "marsh with birds", making this location an excellent choice for nature lovers keen to spot the flamingos. It's also known for a wide variety of sports facilities, including beach volleyball, kite-surfing and windsurfing.

Break up your sunbathing with a stroll among the colourful shops and restaurants lining the canal. For a longer adventure, walk or cycle 5 kilometres along the waterfront pathways to the ruins of the 11th-century Cathédrale de Maguelone, site of a popular annual music festival each June showcasing medieval and renaissance music. 

Good to know: From the city to Plage Palavas-les-Flots, ride the Green line tram from Gare Saint Roche in Montpellier to Perols at the end of the line. Then change to bus number 131 to Palavas-les-Flots. For a budget stay only 10 minutes from the beach, check into hotelF1 Montpellier South.

Only a 25-minute drive south of Montpellier lies Carnon Beach. While not considered the most picturesque beach in the region, its beauty lies in its close proximity to Montpellier, its easy parking and a decent variety of eateries available right off the sand. The multiple breakwater jetties installed just offshore create peaceful, shallow lagoons perfect for small children to splash in, and a variety of shops along the beachfront mean that forgotten snacks or sunscreen won't ruin your beach day.

Set in the coastal resort of La Grande-Motte a 35-minute drive south of Montpellier, this laid-back beach takes its name from the fiery sunsets that grace the beach on balmy summer evenings. This wide sandy beach has received various accolades, including the Blue Flag Award for cleanliness, and it was also voted one of the region's most accessible beaches. The lifeguard supervision during the high season, toilets available on the beach and the proximity to the various restaurants around the pretty harbour are also big draws. Be sure to check out the town's unique architectural features — a collection of trendy pyramid-shaped buildings dating from the 1970s. Parking costs €2.50 for four hours.

Top tip: Treat yourself to a luxe experience with a hotel stay right next to the marina in La Grande-Motte.

Set on an isthmus 20 kilometres south of Montpellier, the rustic Plage du Pilou feels a million miles away from civilisation. Backed by beachgrass and wildflowers, this petite, tucked-away beach is perfect for those seeking tranquillity, as it's far less crowded than its sister beaches such as Plage Palavas-les-Flots and Plage du Couchant further east along the isthmus. The windswept beach is also known as a popular kite-surfing area, and is home to two kite-surfing schools. After an afternoon snooze, take a 10-minute stroll to the medieval Cathédrale de Maguelone and Domain of Maguelone winery, both set on an island in the adjacent lagoon. Parking for the beach is free, but be advised that there are no other services.

Ranked number 10 of the 27 beaches in the area, Plage du Petit Travers is regarded for its fine sand and turquoise water. Although the beach is narrower than others in the region, it is easy to access from Montpellier, and there are toilets, lifeguards in the summer and plentiful paid parking in close proximity to the sand. The sandy sea bottom has a smooth increase in depth, and many areas of the bay are protected from waves. The rustic Le Mistral beach bar is an ideal spot for a cooling beverage or walk east down the beach to reach a couple of casual seafood restaurants.

A 40-minute drive from Montpellier, you'll find the rustic Plage des Aresquiers. This often-deserted beach is known for its wild landscape, empty expanses and off-the-beaten-track locale. Although some say it can be difficult to find, once there, visitors praise the peaceful surroundings. While the beach is technically clothing optional, it's also popular with families in search of a quiet getaway. Due to its rural location, there are no services and only limited parking.

Although set in Cap d'Agde, an hour's drive or an hour and a half by public transportation from Montpellier, this picturesque beach is well worth a visit. While the beaches directly south of Montpellier are long, flat expanses of sand, Plage de La Plagette is nestled against a limestone cliff and features interesting offshore rock formations. The sandy beach and gentle waters are easily accessible from the adjacent parking lot and there are public toilets on-site. It's also conveniently close to an array of bars and restaurants in the centre of town.

For a unique experience, spend the day at Plage de la Grande Conque, one of the area's only black-sand beaches. Also in Cap d'Agde an hour's drive from Montpellier, this secluded beach is set in a cove surrounded by steep volcanic cliffs formed during an eruption 750,000 years ago. The cove surrounds a shallow, iridescent bay punctuated by two large rocks called the Two Brothers. Although pebbly at the bottom, the serene waters and visually stunning scenery make it a charming spot for a day at the beach. Plage de la Grande Conque does have parking, but the beach itself is reached via a steep staircase dug into the cliff.

Good to know: Plage de la Grande Conque can be reached from Montpellier by taking the TER regional train from Montpellier Saint-Roch to Gare d'Agde. Then take bus number 3 from the Agde Gare SNCF train station to Ile des Pécheurs.

No matter which beach you choose to visit, the region offers a wide range of accommodations to suit every pocketbook. So gather the family and head over to Montpellier's beaches today!