Cap d'Agde, Vias and Portiragnes: pearls of the Mediterranean

Amid ports and beaches, Cap d'Agde Mediterranean is holiday destination capital, designed for tourism. The 3 resorts have various styles but are all designed for family holidays. At Cap d'Agde, the resort features 10 pleasant districts with architecture inspired by the typical colours of Languedocien villages, in an environment that offers bike lanes, pedestrian paths and parks. Its entertainment creates a constantly fun atmosphere, with a very wide range of activities. Vias, the fine-sand beach can be accessed directly from various comfortable accommodations on offer and in Portiragnes, where nature meets the sea, you can access the beach from the shady pine forest. You can choose between a full range of hotels, apartment rentals, villas and campsites.

A 2600-year-old cradle of history, the Phocaeans settled in the trading port of Agathe Tyche, the town of Agde today, followed by the Greeks, and then the Romans, who left traces of their culture in our towns. The mediaeval period has left behind chapels, churches, fortress mills, circular villages and various traditions like the tamburello court game or the fantastic bestiary of totemic animals that roam our villages. With a more classical tone, the towns of Agde, Pézenas or Montagnac have strong links with mediaeval fairs, trade and history. The future great French author of the 17th century, Molière, roamed the streets of Pézenas before those of Versailles. Our beautiful ancient architecture stands alongside modern 20th-century architecture such as the Cap d'Agde resort created in the 1970s.

Showing the incredible and technical prowess of the 17th century, this unparalleled masterpiece of civil engineering joins the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Bridges, locks, staircase locks, round locks, canal bridges, built by thousands of men. Its inventor Pierre Paul Riquet died before seeing the completion of his work. The visionary canal-builder ended life poor, and the canal's commercial use has now been replaced by tourism, bike rides along its banks and activities on the water (musical cruises) or at the water's edge. It is more than 350 years old and has been recognised as UNESCO World Heritage for Humanity.

With its marine protected area and its hundreds of hectares of wetlands rich in wildlife, Cape d’Agde Mediterranean is an open-air conservatory of species. Pink flamingos, bulls, hawks, bats... dozens of species live happily not far from the beaches, valley and the Hérault plains. Attentive walkers, armed with binoculars or a camera, can quietly discover and capture all of this lush life. Come alone or with a guide to explore protected areas and uncover a little-known side of Cap d'Agde Mediterranean. The unexpected volcanism in a coastal region provides us with various specimens on the coast or inland. Come and be amazed...

Agde, a history founded in 580 BC by the Greeks, anchoring the city between maritime trade and fishing. Developing over the centuries, it has left behind strong traditions in the daily life of the inhabitants, with festivities and times of togetherness that you’ll have the joy of sharing with the locals, leaving you with the happy memories! Water jousting tournaments are a fun time when teams of 2 boats and their jousters wearing white clash to the sound of fanfares; the games keep coming all summer at the foot of the cathedral, stopping only in low season. Another event embedded in religious fervour and festivities is the Fête des Pêcheurs (Fishermans’ Celebration) in July, where fishermen, sailors and residents come together with the Belles Agathoises parade in traditional costume. To better understand these maritime roots, be sure to visit the Belvédère de la Criée aux Poissons (the name given to the fish market). At Pézenas, which is so close and unique, UNESCO now protects this "intangible cultural heritage" that is so heart-felt and generously shared by the local residents, making it part of the place's DNA or better yet, its spirit. During your stay, be sure to take part in these seasonal events, which follow the path of the Sun: Nadal, the revival of light just before Christmas on the winter solstice; Carnival, the end of winter with the insolent breath of spring and rising sap; Sant Joan at the triumph of the summer solstice, and Martror, the day of the dead and winter of life accompanied by macabre dances.