Beaches, wine, fish and lagoons

South and east of the city, the parc naturel régional de la Narbonnaise is 800 sq km of protected vineyards, lagoons, islands – and 50km of fine sand beaches. Gruissan, 20 minutes from Narbonne, is a fishing village on a hill between two lagoons, with narrow alleyways encircling the ruins of a 12th-century tower. A marina was added in the 20th century, with apartments, restaurants and berths for 1,300 boats.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gruissan

Gruissan’s huge beach, over the Grazel lagoon, has a longer holiday history. In the mid-19th century, Narbonne families would head here in summer for a beach break before the hard work of the grape harvest, first sleeping in covered wagons, then in cabanes on stilts. The tradition was formalised in the 1920s when, in what might have been France’s first holiday park, the village bought a tract of foreshore from the state and built basic huts – still on stilts – for letting to local families.

The lagoon:

Today’s chalets are more permanent, with running water and electricity, but the atmosphere remains laid-back and friendly as families barbecue in the spaces beneath their huts, and children run in and out.

Gruissan is a popular seaside resort village with a ruin on top of a hill above the village itself.
Its beach is really a continuation of the massive, wide stretches of sand that start at St Pierre. Like Narbonne and Mateille, it is extremely flat and wide, and feels very open. It does benefit from being further from the ugly buildings of Narbonne Plage, and is right next to a popular sailing port, where you can rent wind surfers.

Gruissan Plage, France is located just east of Narbonne. Come off the A9 at the Narbonne exit (junction 37). Take the D168 and D32 all the way to Gruissan. This is a pleasant 10 minute drive. On the outskirts of Gruissan you come to a round about. Go straight over and follow the signs to Gruisssan plage. As an alternative, Narbonne plage is just up the coast.

The town of Gruissan, France, is situated slightly away from the Mediterranean coast, between the hills of the Clape and the lakes frequented by the pink flamingos.
Gruissan was originally a fishing village on a small island surrounded by marshland.
The narrow streets of Gruissan village are built around the 13th century castle tower and form a circular pattern (called a Circulade).

In recent years Gruissan, has expanded considerably with the development of holiday homes close at Gruissan Plage, a modern yachting marina and holiday apartments built along the palm-lined quays.

Gruissan is a small resort with a Casino and the four nightclubs. There is always plenty of night life in the bars and restaurants around the marina, where you can dine while overlooking the yachts and listen to live musicians playing all types of music.

The miles of clean uncrowded beaches at Gruissan Plage, with fine sand, warm seas and safe bathing for children, provides everything you need for a great holiday in the South of France. There is a wide range of water sport activities for all the family and you will also find a range of other activities including horse riding, cycling and an amusement park.

If you consider to take a trip to Gruissan do not forget to taste these delicious 'gateaux'

Brillez en soirée avec leur gateaux délicisieux!