La Grande-Motte Map
Description:
This map shows streets, roads, trails, rivers, beaches, buildings, churches, campsites, parking lots, and parks in La Grande-Motte.
Size: 2667x1634px / 1.54 Mb
Author: Ontheworldmap.com
Map based on the free editable OSM map openstreetmap.org.
You may download, print or use the above map for educational, personal and non-commercial purposes. Attribution is required. For any website, blog, scientific research or e-book, you must place a hyperlink (to this page) with an attribution next to the image used.
La Grande-Motte City Centre Map
Description:
This map shows streets, trails, houses, buildings, cafes, bars, restaurants, hotels, shops, public toilets, pedestrian areas, parking lots, churches, points of interest, and parks in La Grande-Motte City Center.
Size: 3038x2578px / 2.37 Mb
Author: Ontheworldmap.com
Map based on the free editable OSM map openstreetmap.org.
You may download, print or use the above map for educational, personal and non-commercial purposes. Attribution is required. For any website, blog, scientific research or e-book, you must place a hyperlink (to this page) with an attribution next to the image used.
La Grande-Motte Tourist Map
Description:
This map shows streets, tourist offices, bus stops, parking lots, chemist's, cycle ways, access to the beach, hotels, holiday centers, campsites, luggage storage, public toilets, children playgrounds, points of interest, tourist attractions, and sightseeings in La Grande-Motte.
Size: 3949x1872px / 2.24 Mb
Author: La Grande-Motte Office de Tourisme
Online Map of La Grande-Motte
About La Grande-Motte
La Grande-Motte is a planned resort city located in the Hérault department in southern France, approximately 20 miles (32 km) from Montpellier. Built in the 1960s and 1970s as part of the Languedoc-Roussillon coastal development project known as "Mission Racine," the city was designed by architect Jean Balladur, who drew inspiration from pre-Columbian Mesoamerican architecture, particularly the step pyramids of Teotihuacan in Mexico. Today, the city has a permanent population of around 8,500 residents, though this number swells to over 100,000 during the summer tourist season.

The distinctive architecture of La Grande-Motte is its most notable feature. The city's skyline is dominated by pyramid-shaped buildings with terraced balconies that allow each apartment to receive maximum sunlight while providing shade to the apartments below. This innovative design earned the city the "Heritage of the 20th Century" label from the French Ministry of Culture in 2010. About 80% of the urban area is dedicated to green spaces, creating a garden city atmosphere with over 2,000 species of trees and plants throughout the resort.
La Grande-Motte boasts a 7-mile (11 km) stretch of sandy beaches along the Mediterranean Sea, making it a popular destination for beachgoers. The city is also home to France's largest marina, Port de Plaisance, which contains approximately 1,400 moorings and serves as a hub for sailing and other water activities. The Ponant Gardens (Jardins du Ponant) offer a peaceful botanical experience with Mediterranean and exotic plant species arranged around artificial ponds.
Tourism forms the backbone of La Grande-Motte's economy, with numerous hotels, restaurants, and vacation rentals catering to visitors. The city has positioned itself as a destination for both leisure and business tourism, hosting conferences at the Palais des Congrès convention center. Water sports are particularly popular, with facilities for sailing, windsurfing, jet skiing, and paddleboarding. The Grand Travers beach area is especially known for kitesurfing due to its favorable wind conditions.
In addition to beach activities, La Grande-Motte features an 18-hole golf course, Golf de la Grande-Motte, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. The city also hosts various cultural events throughout the year, including art exhibitions, music festivals, and sporting competitions. For nature enthusiasts, the nearby Étang de l'Or lagoon provides opportunities for bird watching, with flamingos and other Mediterranean bird species frequently spotted in the area. The city's commitment to sustainable tourism has earned it several environmental certifications, including the Blue Flag for its beaches and marina.
The Facts:Region: | Occitanie |
Department: | Hérault |
Arrondissement: | Montpellier |
Canton: | Mauguio |
Intercommunality: | CA Pays de l'Or |
Population (2022): | 8,508 |
Density: | 2,100/sq mi (800/sq km) |
Area: | 4.08 sq mi (10.58 sq km) |
Coordinates: | 43°33′41″N 4°05′09″E |
Postal code: | 34344 /34280 |
Main sights in La Grande-Motte
- La Grande Pyramide (The Great Pyramid)
- The Beach and Seafront Promenade
- Port de Plaisance (Marina)
- Le Point Zéro
- Église Saint Augustin
- La Grande Motte Aquarium
- Jardin du Ponant (Ponant Garden)
- La Plage du Couchant (Sunset Beach)
- Le Parc du Ponant (Ponant Park)
- Jean Balladur Architecture Tour
Beaches in La Grande-Motte
- Plage du Couchant (Sunset Beach)
- Grande Plage (Main Beach)
- Plage du Centre Ville (Town Center Beach)
- Plage du Levant (Eastern Beach)
- Plage du Grand Travers
- Plage du Petit Travers
- Plage de la Rose des Sables
- Plage Point Zéro
- Plage des Échassiers
- Plage Naturiste (Naturist Beach)
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