The best cycling routes 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.

This monumental gate marks the entrance to the Maguelone estate, between the Rhône à Sète canal and the coastal ponds. Officially named "Portail de Maguelone", this monument is also commonly called "La Porte de Maguelone". Despite its appearance as an ancient gate, it is a 20th-century construction, erected following the conflict that opposed at the beginning of the century 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 servitude right.

From the lieu-dit Le Pilou to the eponymous footbridge, this path takes us to the heart of the lagoon landscape of the Arnel pond. A space where human developments coexist with the characteristic environments of the Palavas ponds: lagoon, sansouire and halophytic vegetation. Arnel is today a protected natural area, integrated into the Natura 2000 network and the classified site of the Palavas ponds. But the lagoon also bears the traces of a long history of exploitation: fishing, old salt pans and hydraulic structures have shaped this amphibious territory for several centuries.

From the locality of Le Pilou to the eponymous footbridge, this path takes us to the heart of the lagoon landscape of the Arnel pond. An area where human developments coexist with the characteristic environments of the Palavasian ponds: lagoon, sansouire (salt-tolerant vegetation) and halophytic vegetation. L’Arnel is today a protected natural area, integrated into the Natura 2000 network and the classified site of the Palavasian ponds. But the lagoon also bears the traces of a long history of exploitation: fishing, old salt pans and hydraulic developments have shaped this amphibious territory for several centuries.

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.

At the exit of Palavas-les-Flots, the voie verte follows the mouth of the Lez river in contact with the ponds. The coastal river joins here the coastal plain and its lagoons, including the Étang du Grec, a vast protected wetland. Reed beds, sansouïres and halophytic vegetation make up a magnificent landscape.

80th anniversary Fete du Grau

The Porte de Maguelone is an ochre stone arch located at the entrance to the Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone peninsula. It symbolizes a historical conflict related to private property in the 19th century.