Do you know the Hérault in the south of France, apart from Cap d’Agde and Palavas les Flots? We were there for a photo report for camping les Méditerranées, a set of five-star camping and we share our experience with you.
First and foremost, we’re very proud to have been chosen to be part of the new brochure for camping les Méditerrannées. You can read about our experience in the official brochure, more than 30,000 copies of which have been distributed throughout France to promote this location.
For my part, the camping the Mediterranean, it’s my first discovery, even though I’ve already heard about the beaches of Languedoc and this region. For a weekend, we headed to Marseillan plage just outside Montpellier, where we put down our suitcases. It’s mid-September, the sun is beating down and it’s almost the end of the season! But what a surprise, the holidaymakers are there for one last swim and sunbath. No sooner had we arrived at Montpellier, it takes us 1 hour by car to reach our little cottage. To be totally transparent with you, Antoine and I aren’t in the habit of booking our camping vacations, let alone cabins or tents. It’s not our favorite accommodation, because today we like comfort, but we’re here for a new experience, so here we go…
What a surprise when we arrived! More than just a campsite, Les Méditerranées offers 3 top-of-the-range villages: the Charlemagne, the Nouvelle Floride and the Beach garden located on the same site. It’s nothing like the more traditional, less sophisticated camping of yesteryear. Today we’re talking about luxury amenities. However, the “camping ” spirit is well and truly the. Everyone rubs shoulders and lives together, regardless of social class or accommodation.
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CAMPING LES MÉDITERRANÉES: 3 CAMPSITES FOR 3 DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERES
The common DNA of Les Méditerranées campsite is well-being by the sea. Here, holidaymakers can choose their setting from the most sober to the most luxurious: under the trees, nestled in the vegetation, with their feet in the sand, in a cottage, in a sea-view cabanon, under a tent, in a natural or very high-end cabanon. The 3 village campsites are all next door to each other, so you can enjoy the services and entertainment of all 3 sites. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to test them all, so we concentrated on just one campsite. Landscape conservation is systematically taken into account, and a great deal of effort is put into sustainable development to minimize the environmental footprint: accommodation is purchased from regional French manufacturers, drip irrigation has been generalized and Mediterranean vegetation has been planted with the aim of saving water. Selective sorting is encouraged at both sites, and all sanitary fittings have been fitted with mousseurs and smart meters.
| CAMPING CHARLEMAGNE
It’s the first born in the Les Méditerranées camping family. If you love real camping and simplicity, then the Charlemagne is for you. I find it has an authentic charm and an undeniable conviviality. From the outside, the mobile homes are clean and bright, with a terrace decorated with a straw straw hut, inviting you to relax. If I had to pick one, I noticed the one next to the vegetation (photo below), which is a little more isolated. In terms of food and drink, we only tried the lunchtime menu at the Charlemagne restaurant on the main avenue, which offers a relaxed, no-fuss atmosphere, with well-stocked plates from starter to main course. Note that every Sunday lunchtime, musical entertainment on the terrace is organized by locals, which is pretty cool! I chose the mussels as a starter (as soon as they’re available, I can’t resist ordering them), while Antoine went for the seafood, and then we moved on to the fish of the day, while I went for the dry Cretan dish, a local delicacy. Hmm, this dish was not to my taste, a little too much sauce, I would have preferred something a la plancha!
A seaside campsite is great, but one with direct access to the sea is even better!
From Le Nouvelle Floride and the Beach Garden, holidaymakers can either enjoy daytime activities or head for the beach, where they have direct private access with a keypad. The beaches on this coast are incredibly large compared to those on the Côte d’Azur, and well worth spending at least a day on. The sand is fine, warm and golden. For us, it came down to a lovely sunset for two, as we had very little time. No problem, we still got our fill of sunshine and vitamin D.
| CAMPING NOUVELLE FLORIDE
As its name suggests, I thought it bore a resemblance to Florida, but maybe that’s just me! The site’s facades are more colorful, reminding me of malls or the layout of the famous Disney park. If you’re a fan of entertainment and conviviality, Le Floride is the place for you. This is where we found Jacky, Florida’s mascot. He comes every summer, often in September, and for over 30 years has been accompanied by his wife. Everyone knows him, and you might even get the chance to meet him, because he loves the United States! Its location is decorated with American plaques on its trailer and an emblematic flag flying. Le Nouvelle Floride has direct access to the beach and a lovely terrace overlooking the stage, for night-time entertainment and the sea (apparently the best place for breakfast). Weekly rate for 7 nights in low season from 315€ and 770€ in high season.
| THE CAMPING BEACH GARDEN
Whether you prefer charming mobile homes, or a night with your head in the stars for authentic camping enthusiasts, there’s something for everyone. Pitches are nestled in the vegetation or on the seafront. If you prefer nature and peace, then this is the campsite for you. The Beach Garden has 3 mobile-home neighborhoods organized in such a way as to be car-free. It’s possible to park nearby, but you’ll have to walk a few meters to reach your accommodation. The pedestrian walkways are pleasantly planted, giving a new, more modern spirit to this type of accommodation. These areas of the campsite undoubtedly set a more refined, elegant and original tone with three premium districts:
- the Cabanons du Bagnas on the edge of the Bagnas reserve, which we tested for 2 nights. Outdoors, it’s a cozy little nest in nature. Wrapped in natural Eucalyptus wood, these cabins resemble little island houses with their beautiful wooden decks. They are scattered along small paths and surrounded by vegetation. We found the place quiet and very relaxing. The decoration is contemporary with 2 bedrooms, a shower room, a small sofa, air conditioning and a kitchenette with dishwasher please! Weekly rate for 7 nights in low season from 520€ and 1000€ in high season.
- the neighborhood Maison des Sables is more design-oriented! It looks like a small, contemporary cubic house, with attractive woodwork on the exterior facades, very modern decor and totally integrated into the landscape. It has a more intimate feel, with sand and tropical vegetation surrounding the cabana. It’s a little haven of peace, your own fully-equipped home where you can relax and unwind. Weekly rate for 7 nights in low season from €560 and €1000 in high season.
- the Cabanes de la Mer and their exceptional beachfront location! We have to admit that we fell in love with this one, because having your feet in the warm sand, facing the sea, is a little luxury for our taste. Here, I could see myself breathing in that little bit of iodine air that feels so good! It’s the ideal place for sunsets. The only drawback is that these bungalows are right next to the beach access entrance, so there’s a lot of people coming and going every day. Be careful, these are very popular bungalows that fill up in 24 hours, once reservations are open!
The strength of camping les Méditerranées, it’s also their highly advanced aquatic area! It’s a paradise for young and old alike, with 3 large aqua-ludic areas on offer. There are slides and pentaglides for teenagers, water games and paddling pools for the little ones, lagoons and even bubble benches! You’re not dreaming! There’s even a 33-metre swim lane in the beach garden for the more sporty types! I’ve never seen that before!
If the weather is bad? don’t worry, you can take a dip in the indoor pool! And yes, there are 2 indoor pools heated to 31°C and a balneo area with bubble baths, water jets for back and neck massages and a Jacuzzi. I’d never seen a balneotherapy bath on a campsite before, and I have to admit I particularly enjoyed this Zen interlude. If you want to relax, this is the place to be, or head for the “Bulle des Sables” which uses Carita and Décléor products.
Adjacent to the balneotherapy area, the Spa is very pleasant. On one side, there’s a corner for massages and facials. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy a romantic moment together! We enjoyed a 30-minute body massage. The masseuses are very attentive and professional. Count €80/p on average for a 60-minute body massage (1H30 possible). On the other side, there’s a hammam and sauna with cold showers and buckets of ice cream to cool you down. If you choose one of our treatments, access is free for 1 hour, otherwise charge €15 for 1 hour 30 minutes.
A GOURMET BREAK WITH A SEA VIEW
There are 3 restaurants within the Les Méditerrannées campsite, each with a different flavour and atmosphere, where you can enjoy regional specialities or more traditional dishes such as pizzas or pasta, the great classic.
The Beach Garden bistro with its spacious panoramic terrace, was the weekend’s big surprise. This is the restaurant of Émilie and Matthieu, who set themselves the challenge of setting up a semi gastro restaurant in a campsite, just like you’d find in a big city neighborhood. Emilie and her team bring their dynamism and good humor to the dining room, and Matthieu, the chef, his talent.
Matthieu has cut his teeth in some of Paris’s top establishments and abroad, and his cooking is refined and masterful, to say the least. We tasted mainly seafood products, which we love, and we found originality in the plate, freshness, beautiful presentation and perfect cooking. As a starter, we recommend you try the œuf cocotte with mushrooms, followed by the main course (11€), the crusted sole with shallot confit, and the ginger prawns/saint Jacques (approx. 25€ per dish).
Although the concept surprised many at first, today’s clientele is looking for more elaborate dishes and discovering new combinations: a la plancha cooking, fish, meat… Perfect value for money
At the end of the evening, I invite you to discover the more lounge-like, Zen-like space right next to the restaurant. It’s quite pleasant to sip a glass of wine, a cocktail or simply a cup of tea, in cocooning armchairs.
Let go and get active!
Due to lack of time, we were unable to test the activities of the camping les Méditerranées, But for the more energetic, these campsites also offer activities such as: muscle toning, aquagym, aerobics and stretching, beach volleyball, beach soccer, ping-pong, pétanque, zumba, salsa, country, step, kuduro, fit’dance and house clubbing. For your children, the mini-club area is at your disposal. The activity leaders welcome you in a cheerful, fun atmosphere, mixing young people of different nationalities. As for the pool, we would have liked to have taken a dip, as the water was very warm and the little straw hut bar was a real eye-catcher. We’re not going to complain, we tried their succulent cocktails at the end of the day while admiring the sunset.
| DISCOVER MARSEILLAN BY BIKE
From the camping les Méditerrannées, you can enjoy a variety of outings: from iodine-filled hikes on the 3 kilometers of beach to a guided tour of the Bagnas Nature Reserve, a former saltworks, classified Natura 2000. You can visit these 600 ha of preserved wetlands in the morning or during sunset to watch the birds gather on the lagoons.
You can also do as we do, i.e. a few hours’ bike trip along the Canal du Midi thanks to the on-site rental service, Thau Bike 34. And yes, Marseillan has a great location, as the Canal du Midi is not far away. This walk is very easy, quiet, well signposted and so much fun! For a few moments, we were able to observe the locals preparing their boats and fishing nets, as well as herons on part of the pond. It’s also an opportunity to discover the small town of Marseillan with its red lighthouse and pretty port. We stopped here to sample the delicious seafood, in particular the oysters and mussels from the Etang de Thau.
✖️ We advise you to go to the restaurantla Pacheline, an address where the products are fresh and succulent. Prices are very reasonable, ranging from 10€-15€ for a starter to 25€ for a hearty main course. If you’ve got a bit of time to spare, get lost in the city’s alleyways by bike, in search of fresh air and pretty flower-filled facades.
BON PLAN | DÉCOUVREZ MARSEILLAN ET SA CÔTE
Si vous souhaitez plus d’intimité, que vous êtes en famille ou entre amis et que vous souhaitez privatiser un bateau au départ de Cannes avec ou sans skipper, vous aurez l’embarras du choix en cliquant ici sur cette plateforme: bateaux à moteurs, voiliers, yachts, bateaux sans permis, avec ou sans skipper, c’est vous qui voyez. N’oubliez pas de réserver assez longtemps à l’avance car tout est plein en été et sur la haute saison et vous aurez beaucoup de mal à trouver votre bonheur.
➡️ Vérifier les disponibilités des différents bateaux et réserver maintenant
(sans minimum d’achat et réservations illimitées)
PRACTICAL INFORMATION | Les Méditerranées campsite
| Transports
- Possibility of arriving by TGV to Agde (faster), then driving to the campsite, then driving to the campsite.
- Possibility to come by car and park in front of your pitch
- By plane, you land in Montpellier, then count on a 1-hour drive. From Paris, the flight takes about 1 hour
- If you don’t have your own car, rent a bike on site, as there are plenty of cycle paths – a standard bike costs around €13 a day.
| Seasonality
- Go in the off-season, when temperatures are much warmer and the flow of tourists less dense. September was perfect because it was still 28 degrees!
| Food
- You’ll find numerous bakeries on site, as well as supermarkets (prices are sometimes cheaper locally). For restaurants, the beach garden bistro is perfect, or prefer the main street of Marseillan plage.
To sum up this experience, we were surprised by the quality of the services offered by Les Méditerranées campsite, the glamping aspect with very modern and contemporary accommodation, but also the quality spa service and the semi-gastro restaurant. I must also confess that since we’ve been here we’ve been saying to ourselves: ” The cabanons on the Bagnas are really quite nice. ! ” We’d love to spend a few lazy days there! We recommend you go out of season to avoid the tourist crowds and maybe go for 3 days if you can, as a weekend is far too short! There’s so much to discover around here!
So did we make you want to go? Do you know Marseillan and the surrounding area?
This article is our experience. It was made possible thanks to a collaboration with Camping les Méditerranées whom we thank for their invitation and this discovery.
