Mauguio: Beach, Lagoon and Heritage

Choosing Mauguio as a destination lets you shape your stay around different interests: coastal scenery, water sports, nature watching and historical heritage each offer a different focus. The places and activities provide practical starting points for planning your trip—from the dune beach to traces of the medieval past.

Beach, water sports and activities

Plage du Petit Travers is a three-kilometre stretch of fine sand, lined with dunes. Between entrances 73 and 74 is a designated 200-square-metre kitesurfing area, where you can learn to handle kites and boards. Specific usage conditions may vary by season; check them before your visit.

Other activities are also available for those interested in spending time on the water. The Yacht Club de Mauguio Carnon offers sailing courses year-round, ranging from Optimist dinghies to sailboats, and also covering windsurfing, wingfoiling and windfoiling. Check course times and availability before your trip. Longe Côte Mauguio Carnon is also offered year-round, at three levels: Zen, leisure and sport.

If you would rather follow a designated route, the Voie verte du Lido is a linear cycle path about 2.5 kilometres long. It starts at the Petit Travers car park and leads to La Grande Motte. A longer option is the Sentier du Cabanier, which is almost five kilometres long and can be travelled on foot, by bicycle or on horseback.

Lagoon and nature watching

Étang de l’Or, also known as Étang de Mauguio, is designated a Natura 2000 site. Its documented natural features include seabirds, crustaceans, algae and seagrass beds. A five-kilometre out-and-back route runs along the shore to the bay of La Capoulière. Along the way, there are opportunities to observe flamingos and other water birds. The lagoon and route therefore appeal to different interests: protected nature and a specific destination on the shore.

The Chemin du Cabanier offers another glimpse into the history of the coast. Cabane aux Tamaris is the first stop along the way and is considered a remnant of early fishermen’s huts from 3,000 years ago. The Sentier du Cabanier also offers a longer route with several ways to travel it, so the two options can be distinguished by length and mode of transport.

Medieval heritage and art

Château des Comtes de Melgueil was built in the Middle Ages and has been classified as a historic monument since 2010. Guided tours of the château last one hour and 30 minutes; booking arrangements may vary, so it is worth checking in advance. Jardin de la Motte offers another link to the former rule of the Lords of Melgueil: it is laid out around a medieval mound that is a remnant of their former castle. From the summit, views extend across Mauguio and the coastal plain; on clear days, they reach as far as the étangs and the Mediterranean.

Galerie d’Art Prévert is located in the town’s former girls’ school. Its 100 square metres of exhibition space host year-round displays of painting, sculpture and photography. The exhibition programme may change. Alongside the historic sites, the gallery offers a different way to experience the cultural scene: through contemporary exhibitions rather than buildings and their history.

Carnon, events and seasonal produce

At Carnon’s outer harbour is Jardin des Dunes, a landscaped pedestrian area open towards the sea, designed for walks and entertainment. Beside the garden, an almost ten-metre-long pirate ship serves as a play area for families. Play features include a climbing net, a swaying bridge, a platform and a slide.

Romeria del Encuentro is a three-day festival with Andalusian influences. Its programme includes flamenco, dance and singing, Sevillanas competitions and bullfighting-related events. The Fête Votive in Mauguio Carnon lasts ten days and features parades, street shows, Toro-piscine, races and dances. If you would like to plan your stay around an event, check the dates and programme for your chosen travel period.

A seasonal product also marks the local calendar: Mauguio strawberries are available at the town’s market stalls from April to mid-June. Depending on when you travel, there are different points of interest—from strawberries in spring to sailing courses and exhibitions offered year-round.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Le Poujol-Sur-Orb, Le Bousquet-d'Orb, Avène, Campagnan, Octon, Frontignan, Riols, Fontès.

For the broader travel overview: Hérault.