Le Grau-du-Roi Map

Description: This map shows streets, pedestrian areas, trails, beaches, marinas, roads, rivers, buildings, parking lots, churches, campsites, and parks in Le Grau-du-Roi.

Description: This map shows streets, houses, buildings, pedestrian areas, cafes, bars, restaurants, hotels, public toilets, parking lots, shops, churches, points of interest, public toilets, playgrounds, and parks in Le Grau-du-Roi City Center.

Description: This map shows beaches, tourist office, campsites, tourist residences, hospitals, markets, parking lots, points of interest, tourist attractions, and sightseeings in Le Grau-du-Roi.

Description: This map shows streets, beaches, port, parking lots, public toilets, campsites, points of interest, and tourist attractions in Le Grau-du-Roi.

Description: This map shows handling docks, boater trolleys, toilets, showers, boat slip, boater car parks, drain pumps, gas statios, shopping centers, hotels, tourist residences, harbour shuttles, parking lots, and restaurants in Port-Camargue.

Other Maps of Le Grau-du-Roi

Le Grau-du-Roi is a commune located in the Gard department in southern France, situated in the Occitanie region. It lies on the western edge of the Camargue region, approximately 16 miles (26 kilometers) southwest of Nîmes and about 16 miles southeast of Montpellier. The town serves as a popular seaside resort on the Mediterranean coast with a permanent population of around 8,500 residents, though this number swells significantly during the summer tourist season when it can reach up to 100,000 people.

The name "Le Grau-du-Roi" comes from the Occitan word "grau," meaning "passage" or "channel," referring to the canal that connects the sea to the inland étangs (lagoons). The town developed as a fishing port in the 19th century with the construction of the canal in 1825, which provided access from the Mediterranean Sea to the Étang de Thau. Historically, the area was part of the larger Aigues-Mortes region, which was an important medieval port established by King Louis IX in the 13th century.

Le Grau-du-Roi boasts several notable attractions. Port Camargue, located at the eastern end of the town, is one of the largest pleasure boat marinas in Europe with over 5,000 moorings. The town's main beach, Plage de l'Espiguette, stretches for over 10 miles (18 kilometers) and is known for its fine sand dunes and natural environment. The Seaquarium, a major marine life center, houses more than 200 species of Mediterranean and tropical marine life and includes a shark aquarium.

The local economy is primarily based on tourism, fishing, and oyster farming. Traditional fishing remains an important part of the town's identity, with the local fishing fleet still active and supplying fresh seafood to the town's restaurants. Visitors can watch the fishing boats return to port and auction their catch at the daily fish market.

The Lighthouse of Le Grau-du-Roi (Phare de l'Espiguette), built in 1869, stands at 85 feet (26 meters) tall and offers panoramic views of the coastline. The town is also home to La Tour Carbonnière, a medieval watchtower that once guarded the only road access to Aigues-Mortes through the marshlands.

Le Grau-du-Roi is recognized for its distinctive Camargue culture, which includes traditional bull events (courses camarguaises) held in the local arena during summer months. The town serves as an excellent base for exploring the Camargue Regional Natural Park, famous for its unique ecosystem that includes wild white horses, black bulls, and pink flamingos.

Main sights in Le Grau-du-Roi

Beaches in Le Grau-du-Roi