The best walks and hikes around Palavas-Les-Flots

The Phare de la Méditerranée is one of the emblematic monuments of Palavas-les-Flots, but its history is surprising to say the least: it has never been a lighthouse. At this location, the Redoute de Ballestras once stood, a military structure built in the 18th century to defend the port. After its defensive function was abandoned, the redoubt was integrated into several facilities intended to supply Palavas with drinking water. In 1943, a large concrete water tower was built around the existing structures and operated until 1997. Rather than being demolished, the old water tower was rehabilitated between 1998 and 2000 to become the Phare de la Méditerranée: an observation tower, a convention center, and a revolving panoramic restaurant. The redoubt, hidden within the water tower, was dismantled stone by stone and then rebuilt on an islet in the Étang du Levant.

The Mediterranean Lighthouse is one of the emblematic monuments of Palavas-les-Flots, but its history is surprising, to say the least: it was never a lighthouse. At this location once stood the Redoute de Ballestras, a military structure built in the 18th century to defend the port. After its defensive function was abandoned, the redoubt was incorporated into several facilities for supplying Palavas with drinking water. In 1943, a large concrete water tower was built around the existing structures and operated until 1997. Rather than being demolished, the old water tower was rehabilitated between 1998 and 2000 to become the Mediterranean Lighthouse: an observation tower, a convention center, and a revolving panoramic restaurant. The redoubt, hidden within the water tower, was dismantled stone by stone and then rebuilt on an islet in the Étang du Levant.

Built in 1896, the Saint-Pierre church bears witness to the rapid development of Palavas-les-Flots at the end of the 19th century. It replaced a first church built of planks, which had become too modest for a booming seaside resort. In the neo-Romanesque style, it is today the second oldest monument in Palavas, after the Redoute de Ballestras. Inside are preserved, among other things, the ashes of Saint Florence and her effigy.

After skirting the monumental gate of Maguelone, the path crosses the peninsula to the Mediterranean and opens onto Pilou beach. This natural beach is one of the two main bathing areas of Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, along with Prévost beach. Between the sea, lagoons, and natural spaces, the coastline here remains sparsely urbanized. The lifeguard station marks the supervised swimming area.

La plage du Pilou is one of the two main beach areas in Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, along with the plage du Prévost. Between the sea, lagoons, and natural spaces, the coastline here remains sparsely urbanized. The lifeguard station marks the supervised swimming area. The place also holds the memory of a much darker episode: in 1942, the Maguelone shore was mined by German forces to prevent a potential Allied landing. During the demining operations undertaken after the war, deminer Pierre Coutou was mortally wounded here on March 1, 1945. A stele pays tribute to him near the beach.

This monumental gate marks the entrance to the Maguelone estate, between the Rhône à Sète canal and the coastal lagoons. Officially named "Portail de Maguelone", this monument is also commonly called "La Porte de Maguelone". Despite its appearance of an ancient gate, it is a 20th-century construction, erected following the conflict that at the beginning of the century opposed the owner of the estate, Frédéric Fabrège, to the municipality of Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone concerning a path giving access to the beach and the existence of a right of way.

Between the Palavasian ponds and the Mediterranean, the Maguelone peninsula occupies a former island space whose history dates back to Antiquity. Old maps still show Maguelone surrounded by lagoons: in 1570, it appears as an island, and its insular position is still clearly visible on a map of the diocese of Montpellier dated 1641.

The Pilou footbridge allows you to cross the Rhône à Sète canal and reach the Maguelone peninsula from Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone. The current structure is mobile and opens to allow navigation on the canal. For 2026, the footbridge is in service every day from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. until September 20, then from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from September 21 to 30. These hours are subject to change depending on the season or during exceptional closures.