TheGolfe du Lion extends from theCape Creus toToulon and has an enormous amount to offer, especially between Cap d'Agde in the west and Le Grau-du-Roi in the east.
This is one of the rare regions in whichLovers of coastal areas as well asInland captains.
With 5000 berths, thePort Camargue in Le Grau-du-Roi the largest leisure harbour on the Mediterranean. There are numerous marinas along the coast to the harbour of Cap d'Agde with 3100 berths, which can be reached after a short day trip. These include idyllic harbours withhistorical ambience such as Seté, which has been inhabited since the Bronze Age, and Agde, which was inhabited 2600 years ago.Greek seafarers served as a trading centre. Also theAigues Mortes Salt Centrewhich has been known as a settlement since Roman times and has a medieval flair behind its town walls.
As always in France, the Culinary offerenormous. Thanks to theOyster farming In the Étang de Thau, seafood is just as much a part of the menu as the catch from theFishing boats or the meat of the animals bred hereFighting bulls. Three-course menus are often offered for less than 20 euros. If you prefer inland waters, you can make the journey via inland canals and lagoons. Le Boat offers the journey withlicence-free Houseboats to. Those who prefer the coast can travel on their own keel or plan with the charter offer of the marinas.
A goodStarting point for exploring the surrounding waters is the Port Camargue.
With the development of theMarinas Port Camargueand La Grande-Mottewas commissioned by the architect Jean Balladur in the late 1960s. Its architecture forms a contrast to the historic harbour towns of the region. If you are travelling with your own boat, you can moor in the marinacrane orslip and theTrailer car park. There is a huge range of accommodation on offer. The local tourism association helps with the search. You can find accommodation directly in the marina, even with a mooring in front of the accommodation, as well as countless holiday flats and hotels in the surrounding area.
We climb into the family-run Hotel Le Relais de l'Oustau Camarguen in the immediate vicinity of the marina. For those travelling byMotorhome orTent travelling, drives Camping L'Espiguette to. The pitch next to the marina has aown harbourwhich belongs to Port Camargue. If you want to charter, you can start fromlicence-free Boating for small tours up tolarge yacht aim at everything your heart desires.
There is a wide range of land-based activities on offer in the surrounding area. In addition to visiting the Lake aquarium a visit to the fighting bulls is recommended. There are several in the region "Manadiers", as the breeders of these impressive animals call themselves. Just seven kilometres from Port Camargue, we visit the Manade Jullian, where during the summer months regularDemonstrations of the bullsand theCamargue horses take place.
In contrast to their Spanish counterparts, theCattle in the arenas never killed, but presented to the public by their proud breeders.
If you want to discover the Camargue landscape, whereFlamingos and many other wild animals can be observed, you can book a safari with Camargue Aventure - Pierrot le Camarguais. A pampering programme with wellness and thalassotherapy is available at the " Hôtel les bains de Camargue " in the marina.
From Port Camargue, many attractive destinations can be reached by boat in just a few minutes. The longL'Espiguette beach is only two nautical miles away. If you get thirsty or hungry after a swim at anchor, you can visit the beach restaurant "Les Pieds nus". The lighthouse at the entrance to the harbour is just one nautical mile away.Canal to Aigues Mortes be travelled. At the mouth of the canal, the old town centre offishing village Le Grau-du-Roi a marvellous maritime backdrop. Many restaurants complete the idyllic setting. There are no guest moorings here, but with a bit of luck you will be tolerated for the duration of a meal.
When travelling on, apart from theSwing bridgewhich only opens four times a day - the harbour master in Port Camargue knows the opening times - there is another bridge to cross. TheClearance height of two metres therefore only allows smaller boats to travel to Aigues Mortes.
The medieval old townwhich was originally located directly by the sea, is reached after less than three nautical miles along the canal.
Inland waterway boats reach the town via the Canal du Rhône à Sète and are also moored directly in front of theimposing city wall. The fortification was built in the 13th century as a Mediterranean harbour. Due to the laterSedimentation of the coast today it is located inland. A guided tour is just as interesting as exploring it on your own. Two defence towers frame the main gate.
TheTourist hype in the narrow streets is enormous, especially in high summer. Souvenir shops alternate with bars, pubs and restaurants.
Friends ofChocolate and sweets will find a land of milk and honey in the "Biscuiterie Provençale". The saltworks just outside the town are also worth a visit before heading back to Le Grau-du-Roi. If you take advantage of the last opening of the swing bridge in the late afternoon, you can stop off at one of theFish restaurants plan another dinner here. We try "Poulpes Marinés" in the restaurant "Le Dauphin" right by the swing bridge, a typical stew made by local fishermen from squid and potatoes, which is bound with an aioli.
The supermarina La Grande-Motte, just three nautical miles away, is also dominated by the architectural style of the 1960s and 1970s. The surrounding harbours offer a comparable ambiencePort de Carnon orPalavas-les-Flots . Inland captains moor here on the canal. The one further to the westPort de Frontignan has a different flair, especially for inland waterway skippers, as they moor at the canal inland by the vineyards. The well-knownMuscat de Frontignan can of course be tasted when visiting the wineries. A stop here is the rule, as the lift bridge opens twice a day at 08:30 and 16:00. Those who stay on the coast can visit theBathing stop anchor on the white sandy beaches.
The next attraction is three nautical miles further west. HereSète visitors. The city, also known as "Little Venice", is the second most visited city after Marseille.second largest fishing harbour in France in the Mediterranean. The density of restaurants on the Canal Royal, which connects the sea with the Étang de Thau lagoon, is hard to beat. This destination can also be approached from the inland or sea side.
Coastal captains can enter the lagoon via the canal and can take advantage of theOyster beds and harbour towns.
The stronghold of oyster farmersBouzigues ,Mèze where Phoenician seafarers already docked on their way to Spain andMarseillan where you can visit the cellars of the vermouth producer Noilly Prat right in the harbour, are well worth a visit.
The next destination isAgde . The town consists of the old town centre, the districtGrey d'Agde at the mouth of the river Hèrault and the modern harbour districtCap d'Agde . There are mooring facilities in all parts of the city. For coastal travellers, the marina in Cap d'Agde is a great base for exploring the region. Before entering the harbour, you can anchor for a swim in the Grande Conque bay, which is also popular with divers and snorkellers. Barges enter the Canal du Midi via the round lock at Agde, to theRiver Hérault to the old town and the Mediterranean or to theÉtang de Thau.
Agde has been characterised byGreek sailors established as a trading centre 2500 years ago. Expansion began in Cap d'Agde in 1963, after a campsite had been opened here two years earlier. The town has one of the largest naturist centres in Europe. We recommend a visit to the old town of Agde with its narrow streets and cathedral.
There are numerous restaurants by the river and in the immediate vicinity. Also interesting is a visit to theMuseum of Maritime Archaeology "Musée de l'Ephèbe" with an impressive collection of maritime artefacts. For dinner, there are excellent fish restaurants, such as "Les Halles aux Poissons".
Regardless of which town in the beautiful Gulf of Lions serves as a base, and whether the region is explored by houseboat or from the seaside, there are plenty of opportunities for water sports enthusiasts between Le Grau-du-Roi and Cap d'Agde with around300 days of sunshine much to discover.
Nautical information
Journey
In addition to travelling by car, there are direct flights to Montpellier from Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich. There are also flights from Düsseldorf to Béziers - Cap d'Agde. Rail connections are available with changes in Paris and Nimes. If you have plenty of time, you can also reach the region on your own keel via inland waterways.
Weather and winds
Weather information is available at www.meteoconsult.fr in the "Marine" section. A free app called "Meteo Consult Marine" is also available. An important wind is the Mistral. This strong north-westerly wind develops with an area of high pressure west of the Bay of Biscay and a low pressure system coming from France and moving eastwards over northern Italy. The Mistral blows at very high speeds. This often results in high waves.
Boat knowledge
German boating licences and radio licences are recognised. Anyone wishing to use French waterways with their own boat requires a vignette, which can be ordered at www.vnf.fr/vignettesVNF/. Boats up to 5 metres in length and less than 7.29 kW (9.9 hp) are exempt. Vignettes are available for one, three and 30 days or one year. Information at: www.marinafuehrer.adac.de
Charter
