Camping holidays in Palavas-les-Flots

Palavas-les-Flots, station balnéaire près de Montpellier ©Hérault Tourisme Françoise Collet-Jeanjean © Hérault Tourisme Françoise Collet-Jeanjean

Palavas-les-Flots is a renowned seaside resort located on the Languedoc coast, just a few kilometres south of Montpellier. It charms visitors with its long sandy beaches, picturesque harbour, summer entertainment and proximity to natural areas such as the Arnel and Méjean lakes.

Camping in Palavas-les-Flots

There are four campsites in Palavas-les-Flots, rated from three to five stars.

Le Palavas campsite: holidays by the sea

The campsite swimming pool© LE PALAVAS (Palavas-les-Flots - 34)

If you want to stay right in Palavas-les-Flots, Le Palavas***** campsite is the place to be. Ideally located on the Mediterranean coast, it allows you to enjoy the seaside resort to the full without having to take the car. Direct access to the beach, cycle paths and entertainment in the centre make this campsite a very popular base for families.

Le Palavas campsite has a water park with swimming pools and water games, which perfectly complements its immediate proximity to the sea.

Campsites near Palavas-les-Flots

If Le Palavas campsite is fully booked or if you want to broaden your options, there are several campsites less than 20 minutes away by car, allowing you to enjoy Palavas-les-Flots while discovering other coastal resorts.

A campsite in La Grande-Motte, 15 km from Palavas© L'OR (La Grande-Motte - 34)

Located in Maugio, near Carnon-Plage, Les Mille Pépites***** campsite is very popular with families: it has a water park, lots of entertainment and modern accommodation. Its location allows you to alternate between the beaches of Carnon, Palavas and the surrounding lakes.

In La Grande-Motte, the L'Or**** campsite is a good alternative for those who want to stay in a lively seaside resort while remaining close to Palavas. It offers comfortable mobile homes, a swimming pool and pleasant surroundings, 900 metres from a sandy beach.

More nature-oriented, Les Salins de la Gardiole**** campsite in Vic-la-Gardiole is located between ponds, scrubland and the sea. It will appeal to holidaymakers looking for a quieter environment, while still offering easy access to the beaches and entertainment of the Hérault coast.

Things to discover during your camping holiday in Palavas-les-Flots

Enjoy the beaches of Palavas-les-Flots

Beach in Palavas© Erwan Desgrees du Lou

An iconic seaside resort on the Hérault coast, Palavas-les-Flots is particularly appealing for its 7 km of fine sandy beaches stretching out on either side of the port. Easy to access, well equipped and supervised during the season, they are ideal for families. Lazing around, swimming, beach games and water sports set the pace for days spent facing the Mediterranean.

Stroll through the centre and around the ports of Palavas-les-Flots

Lez Canal in Palavas© iStock

The centre of Palavas-les-Flots can be explored on foot, among lively streets, shops and summer markets. The marina, the lively heart of the town, is lined with restaurants, terraces and ice cream parlours, and offers a pleasant setting for a stroll at the end of the day. In Palavas, you will also find a river port and a fishing port that perpetuates the loc al tradition: fishermen sell their fresh fish and the activity of the colourful boats is a reminder of the town's maritime identity.

The Lez Canal, which connects Palavas to Montpellier, has shaped the town and facilitated nautical and commercial traffic since the 19th century. Today, it is a favourite spot for walking, watching boats or reaching the town centre from the sea or the harbour.

The garden of Saint-Pierre Church© iStock

Palavas also offers a few cultural and green stops: Saint-Pierre Church is worth a quick visit for its local architecture, while the Levant Garden is an ideal green haven to relax between walks. Between ports, canals, heritage and green spaces, Palavas-les-Flots offers a complete discovery of the town without having to stray far from the seafront.

Water sports and outdoor leisure activities

Canoeing and kayaking in the Levant park© Hérault Tourisme Murielle Sanz

Palavas-les-Flots is a favourite destination for water sports enthusiasts: paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, jet skiing and windsurfing.

Cycle path from Montpellier to Palavas© Hérault Tourisme Sabrina Lucchese

The surrounding area also offers great opportunities for cycling, particularly along the lakes and cycle paths connecting Palavas to Carnon, Montpellier and La Grande-Motte.

Explore the lakes and surrounding nature

Pond, poppies and flamingos near Palavas© iStock

Behind the coastline, the Palavasian ponds — Étang du Méjean, Étang de l'Arnel and Étang du Prévost — offer a completely different side to the region. These protected lagoons are ideal for observing flamingos and local wildlife, walking or cycling along the footpaths, or simply enjoying a peaceful setting between land and sea, far from the hustle and bustle of the beaches.

Discover the neighbouring seaside resorts

Staying at a campsite in Palavas-les-Flots also allows you to easily explore other coastal destinations:

  • Carnon-Plage, nearby, popular for its family atmosphere
  • La Grande-Motte, known for its unique architecture and long beaches
  • Vic-la-Gardiole, with its unspoilt nature, lakes and wild beaches

These excursions are the perfect complement to a holiday combining sea, entertainment and wide open spaces.

Visit Montpellier for a day

Place de la Comédie and the Three Graces fountain in Montpellier© istock

Just 10 to 15 minutes from Palavas-les-Flots, Montpellier is a must-see destination during your camping holiday. This dynamic, sunny city charms visitors with its historic centre, L'Écusson, with its medieval streets, lively squares and mansions.

Place de la Comédie, the vibrant heart of the city, is an ideal starting point for strolling, shopping or relaxing on a terrace. Culture lovers can visit the Fabre Museum, while families will enjoy green spaces such as the Jardin des Plantes, one of the oldest botanical gardens in France.

Easily accessible by car or tram from Palavas, Montpellier adds a cultural and urban touch to your stay, complementing the beaches and water sports.