Le Grau-du-Roi

Visit Le Grau-du-Roi, Languedoc-Roussillon

Le Grau-du-Roi is a resort on the coast of Languedoc-Roussillon, in the Gard department between the historical walled town of Aigues-Mortes and the seaside resort of La Grande-Motte. The Camargue region is to the east, while beaches are plentiful along the Mediterranean coast near here.

Surrounded by the sea to the south and waterways (small rivers and a lagoon) to most other sides, the town itself is based around a canal, and has an attractive original centre to explore. There are also many resort type apartments and holiday houses at Le Grau-du-Roi, and the resort is a popular campsite destination.

Exploring Le Grau-de-Roi

Most visits to Le Grau-de-Roi will be centred around the fishing harbour and canal front, which is attractive, the sand dune region - and of course the extensive beaches.

There are several beaches along the coast here, stretching over almost 20 kilometres of coastline. Espiguette is the best known and others including the south beach, the north beach and the Boucanet beach. Espiguette also forms part of a large protected natural area of sand dunes. The beaches have received the 'Blue flag' award for cleanliness, the environment and the facilities (as has Port Camargue).

Notable architectural highlights include the early 19th century lighthouse with its traditional lantern; the Maison du Dauphin (representing the style typical of the beginning of the 20th century and several villas dating from the early decades of the 20th century.

Market days in Le Grau-du-Roi are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings, as well as a daily fish market and a weekly market (wednesdays) held during the summer only in Port Camargue.

Note: a 'grau' is an inlet in the coast formed at the weakest point on a coast and linking the sea with the inland waterways.

Attractions nearby

One very popular attraction at Le Grau-de-Roi is the 'Seaquarium'. At the Seaquarium you can see a very large number of fish, sea creatures, seals and rayfish - the highlight being a tunnel that passes through the large underwater tanks, and several displays that explain sealife. In the requinarium (requin is French for shark) you can also see and learn about sharks. Open every day except Christmas Day, the price of admission is about 12 euros.

Le Grau-du-Roi is also known for an extensive harbour and port area on the southern edge of the town called Port Camargue, which is one of the largest pleasure ports in Europe and also a major centre for the active fishing industry. It was developed in the 1960s and 1970s (largely by the same architect as developed La Grande-Motte) and has a good number of interesting buildings in the style of that period.

Tourist classifications for Le Grau-du-Roi: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 3*;

Suggested places to visit near Le Grau-du-Roi, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Camargue 26km; Balaruc-le-Vieux 37km; Nimes 38km; Sete 38km; Bouzigues 40km; Arles 42km; Loupian 43km; Meze 45km; Etang de Thau 46km; Montmajour Abbey 46km; Beaucaire 51km; Fontvieille 51km; Tarascon 52km; Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert 52km; Marseillan 53km; Pont du Gard 56km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Le Grau-du-Roi

Le Grau-du-Roi tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Parc et jardins du château de Flaugergues - remarkable garden (19km) : Etang de Scamandre - site of natural beauty (20km) : Abbaye de Saint-Gilles (Saint-Gilles) - religious monument (28km) : Jardins de la Fontaine - remarkable garden (38km) : Eglise et cloitres de Saint Trophime, Eglise de Saint-Honorat des Alycamps (Arles) - religious monument (42km) : Abbaye Notre Dame de Montmajour (Arles) - religious monument (42km) : Etang de Thau - site of natural beauty (44km) : Grotte de la Clamouse - site of natural beauty (51km) :

French version: see Le Grau-du-Roi (Francais)