Narbonne-Plage: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
In the south of France, you spend the best time of the year at Narbonne-Plage in the Occitanie region. It stretches directly along the Mediterranean coast and impresses with its length and width. The beach belongs to the city of Narbonne inland from the coast, which is worth a stroll with its romantic old town.
Table of contents
Narbonne-Plage - Must-see attractions
Trip to Gruissan
Between the Mediterranean, lagoons, and heathland, Gruissan in the south of France resembles a picturesque postcard motif. The seaside resort is built in concentric circles. Its alleys wind like snails around the ruins of the Tour Barberousse, a castle tower from the 13th century. Take a castle tour and learn exciting facts about the city's history. A visit to the salt flats of Saint-Martin Island and a stroll through the local fish market are also great. However, Gruissan is particularly famous for Gruissan-Plage beach with its striking white stilt houses.
Promenade
The Barques Promenade is located in the French department of Herault Aude. Along the promenade, you will find many cafes, bars, and restaurants. You can sit on park benches under the shade of trees and enjoy the view of the water. As part of a renovation, the Barques Promenade was redesigned. Energy-saving LED street lamps now provide atmospheric lighting in the evening. If you rent a small electric boat, you can explore the city and its sights from the water.
Ponds of Bages-Sigean
The Bages-Sigean pond is known for its eels. Some of the best delicacies in this part of France come from it. During a visit, you can learn more about eel fishing and sample it yourself in the nearby restaurants. From the shore and on hikes, you can observe the traditional fishing boats and spot rare bird species from selected points. At Peryiac-de-Mer, a saltworks awaits you, and you can go swimming at Plage du Doul.
Regional Nature Park Narbonnaise in the Mediterranean
For a visit to the Narbonnaise en Méditerranée Natural Park, you should take some time, as there are not only wetlands but also 300 hectares of enchanting beaches and dunes, numerous salt marshes, and picturesque forests to explore. The natural park is the perfect destination for active vacationers who want to birdwatch in the wetlands or swim in the Mediterranean. Additionally, you can hike through the 15,000 hectares of vineyards, take relaxing rowing tours, and go on bike trips.
Basilica Saint-Paul in Narbonne
The Basilica of Saint-Paul is one of the oldest churches in southern France. Architecturally, it captivates with its Gothic charm. Its construction origins date back to the late 12th century. Inside, the Catholic basilica impresses with its colossal-looking vault with distinctive round columns. An interesting feature of the Basilica of Saint-Paul de Narbonne is the holy water basin. The figure of a small frog is located at the bottom. It gained fame through a legend by the poet Frédéric Mistral and is certainly the smallest masterpiece of the basilica.
Stone Monument Museum of Narbonne
The Musée Lapidaire in Narbonne houses many historical stone carvings from the church. Many of them date back to the founding period of the Romanesque building in the 13th century, originating from the excavation site Clos de la Lombarde. The museum, with its lapidarium, includes a collection of about 1,300 historical stones, among which, in addition to medieval finds, exhibits from the Gallo-Roman period are also presented. This makes the history of ancient Narbonne visible to visitors.
Narbonne-Plage - Secret spots
Abbey of Sainte-Marie de Fontfroide
Anyone interested in medieval monastic life should visit the wonderfully preserved Abbey of Sainte-Marie de Fontfroide, 32 km west of Narbonne Plage. Concerts are often held in the rooms of the former Cistercian monastery, built in 1093, with its vaulted cloister and idyllic rose garden. The restaurant serves products from the monastery's own winery.
The old town of Gruissan
The round-built harbor community of Gruissan with its old town is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France. From the Narbonne-Plage beach in the Herault-Aude department, you can see the Barbarousse fortress ruins rising on a hill above the town. Small alleys with lively bars, traditional delicatessens, and trendy boutiques wind through the historic Mediterranean architecture.
Experience ancient tradition in the Salins de Gruissan
The Salin de l'île Saint-Martin de Gruissan is located 15 km west of Narbonne-Plage. In the basins for seawater evaporation, people still produce sea salt today. During a tour of the facility with the pink water, you will learn all about the tradition. Products like the delicate fleur de sel are available in the shop.
The Wall of Bees
Eleven kilometers inland from Narbonne Plage, you can visit the Mur d'Abeilles, or the Bee Wall, in Fleury. In the openings of the restored historical structure, old beehives (though without inhabitants) still stand, sheltered from the wind, which were used for regional honey production. A circular trail takes you through the magnificent hiking area with the botanical educational path.
Narbonne-Plage - In 3 days
Day 1
Your vacation in Narbonne-Plage takes you to the French region of Occitanie. The seaside resort, which belongs to the city of Narbonne, is located directly on the Mediterranean coast. Naturally, exploring the beach on the first day of vacation is a must. Wide and fine sandy, it is perfect for summer sunbathing, a dip in the refreshing sea, and building the first sandcastle of the vacation with the whole family. In the cooler months, a first beach walk is on the agenda, where looking at the waves immediately brings a pure holiday mood. The small marina of the coastal town is worth a visit, as from the harbor you can walk along the pier to the lighthouse Feu de la jetée Sud. From there, you have a fantastic panoramic view over the sea with the backdrop of the lively coastal town behind you. Some bars and restaurants line the coast and are ideal for ending the first day with a sea view and French cuisine.
Day 2
Sporting fun awaits the whole family on the second day. The good winds on the coast make Narbonne-Plage a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts. Try kitesurfing and windsurfing or look forward to lots of fun with stand-up paddling. Your holiday resort is also ideal for hiking tours. Especially the mild months in spring and autumn attract active tours in the Massif de la Clape. This is a mountain range that stretches between the city of Narbonne and Narbonne-Plage behind the coast. A particularly scenic and also easily accessible hiking excursion with children leads to the Gouffre de l'Oeil-Doux. An emerald green lake lies here in a gorge, framed by towering rocks amidst the coastal forest, offering spectacular photo opportunities. Mountain biking enthusiasts are also in the right place in the region. After a sporty day, an evening visit to the beach invites you to relax and unwind.
Day 3
On the third day, you dedicate yourself to cultural excursions around your holiday destination. Especially the center of Narbonne offers a rich museum landscape. Among the largest exhibition houses is the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire de Narbonne with its remarkable collection of paintings. The focus is on works from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Admire paintings by Pieter Brueghel the Elder, Paul de Vos, and Alfred de Dreux, among others. Those interested in the history of Narbonne should visit the city's Archaeological Museum. The collection focuses on prehistory to the Middle Ages. Outstanding are the well-preserved frescoes from Roman times. The holiday day concludes with a visit to the Théâtre de la Nature. In this open-air theater, varied concerts and shows take place. It is modeled after an amphitheater and invites you to a successful evening surrounded by forest.